UNMIK Headlines 6 February
Ukë Rugova under arrest, suspected of leading a criminal group (dailies)
All papers report on yesterday’s arrest of Ukë Rugova, son of late President Ibrahim Rugova and Kosovo MP. Koha Ditore notes that Rugova was arrested along with nine other persons suspected of visa fraud. Rugova and the group are said to have sold Schengen visas from €2,700 to €3,500.
The paper claims to have secured the arrest warrant against Rugova, which notes that the investigation was launched by a Mitrovica judge on the suspicion that Schengen visas were illegally issued at the Italian Embassy. One of the Embassy’s staff is also among the group arrested with Rugova.
Rugova’s lawyer, Bajram Tmava, denied there is evidence to implicate his client in any criminal activity.
KSF could transform into a national guard (Tribuna)
Kosovo may soon have an army; in its current capacities, the Kosovo Security Force could be transformed into a military force in a matter of 30 days, as all necessary preparations are in place. However, the main issue is the name that will be given to the new force. Officials at the Kosovo Government fear that the term “army” will not get the seal of approval from the members of communities at the Assembly. One of the options being looked at is transforming the KSF into a U.S.-modeled National Guard.
In a transcript from a recent Government cabinet meeting , KSF Minister Agim Çeku is quoted saying that Kosovo is ready to take on military duties once a law is approved that will permitting such activities. He said that the current KSF will be reorganised as a National Guard and, “This will be modeled after the U.S. National Guard, whose mission is internal security, extraordinary situations and so on. Our partners suggest that if we retain the name KSF with these capacities, this will not be a problem for NATO,” said Çeku.
Danielsson requests fight against corruption, organized crime (Koha)
General Director for Enlargement of European Commission Christian Danielsson, during his meetings with the highest state leaders in Kosovo, expressed the readiness of the European Commission to help Kosovo in all processes. But he made it clear that it is much easier to achieve progress if reforms are made in the field of rule of law, the fight against corruption and organised crime.
Along with Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga, Danielsson discussed the European agenda for Kosovo, the SAA negotiations and the visa liberalisation process. “We will help the Kosovo Government in their efforts for better economic governance and efficient public administration,” said EC official, Danielsson.
Participating in paramilitary formations outside Kosovo punishable by law (dailies)
Kosovo Interior Minister Bajram Rexhepi said Kosovars joining paramilitary forces outside the territory can face prison sentences of up to 15 years. On Wednesday, during the Government meeting , Rexhepi said that, in order to protect state interests, the Ministry has undertaken the initiative to draft a law to determine whether joining or participation in foreign paramilitary formations is a criminal offence."
Thaçi: Benefits for all those who contributed (dailies)
Koha Ditore reports that Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi through the draft law for KLA veterans, is committed to have the Government consider all citizens and soldiers who contributed during the conflict, no matter how minimal. . According to Thaçi, this draft-law, which was approved on Wednesday by the Kosovo Government, aims to determine the benefits for KLA veterans. This draft-law includes the rights and benefits for all KLA soldiers since the start of armed resistance until the final liberation of Kosovo,” said Thaçi, adding that this law will be preceded to the Assembly within the week.
The new party on 20 February (Lajm)
Jakup Krasniqi and Fatmir Limaj will launch their new party on 20 February. As Lajm reported earlier, this party will also have its parliamentary group in the Kosovo Assembly, which consists of seven deputies. Along with Krasniqi and Limaj, there will be Hidajet Hyseni, Haxhi Shala, Emin Gërbeshi, Lumnije Morina and Flora Brovina. The newspaper learned that 20 February also marks the six-year anniversary of independence. Therefore, it was decided not to publish the decision or the name of the party until celebrations of the anniversary of the declaration of independence have begun.