Headlines - 28.02.2014

US: Kosovo’s problem, unpredictable situation in north (dailies)

The US State Department published the 2013 report on human rights. Regarding Kosovo, the State Department concentrates on the Serbs in the north and their efforts to prevent normal living conditions. According to the report, the situation in the north remains unpredictable and that 43 incidents were recorded over the last year. EULEX and KFOR continuously intervened to prevent ethnic unrests, while the barricades on the main bridge in Mitrovica are preventing freedom of movement.

Serbs in the north are continuing to prevent the construction of houses in Kroi i Vitakut, with a group from 50 blocking the construction in July 2013. Special emphasis was put on the unrests that followed the arrest of Zarko Veselinovic on 29 July 2013. According to the report, Serbs continuously use violence and intimidation against internal opponents and international security forces, including the murder of the EULEX member in September.

In the section dedicated to corruption and lack of transparency, the Kosovo Government is accused of not implementing laws efficiently, while officials are continuously involved in corruption. Weaknesses in the field of rule of law only contribute to this problem. The US State Department writes that corruption also presents a serious problem within the security forces.

Kosovo to soon open embassy in Montenegro (dailies)

All papers cover the visit of Montenegrin Foreign Minister Igor Luksic to Kosovo and highlight his statement that border demarcation is expected to end this summer. Luksic, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, noted the good cooperation between Montenegro and Kosovo, and said that his country will assist Kosovo in participating in regional initiatives and the EU integration process.

In an interview for Koha Ditore, Luksic said they need to be assured that future constitutional changes in Kosovo will also adequately address the issue of the Montenegrin community: “If the position of Montenegrins in Kosovo is advanced through constitutional changes, it would be a very important contribution.”

He also stressed that before the relations between Kosovo and Montenegro can be fully raised at the diplomatic level, there are certain conditions that need to be met, in particular the accommodation of the Montenegrin community. “However, I think particular issues do not complicate relations between the two countries,” said Luksic, adding that he hoped diplomatic representatives will be accredited this year.

Apart from meeting his Kosovo counterpart, Enver Hoxhaj, Luksic also met Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and Assembly Speaker Jakup Krasniqi.

Jacobson: Forget about the post of president! (Tribuna)

U.S. Ambassador in Kosovo Tracey Ann Jacobson said, during an interview for Klan Kosova on Thursday, that protests at Pristina University were political. “I think anything that happens during this election year will be used by one force or another to make political statements or to score political points,” she said.

Asked to comment on the upcoming national elections, Jacobson said they will be held following an agreement among political parties. She also expressed regret that elections will be held without reforms. “It is not about a reform requested by the international community, but rather a reform that Kosovo voters deserve.”

Jacobson also said that political parties should not count on the post of President Jahjaga when they discuss post-election coalitions. “I often see in the media ideas that a coalition will have one leader as prime minister and the other as president. They forget that the President’s mandate is until 2016 and this was confirmed by the Constitutional Court. I don’t believe the Constitutional Court leaves room for the President to abandon her mandate and to become part of the agreement,” she said.

President Jahjaga meets Charles, Prince of Wales (dailies)

Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga met with Charles, the Prince of Wales, on Thursday in London. Both discussed cooperation between Kosovo and the United Kingdom, for the international consolidation of Kosovo, for its inclusion in international initiatives, and for safeguarding and promoting inter-religious tolerance.

Austria to apply for telephone code for Kosovo (Tribuna)

By midyear, Kosovo is expected to gain its international telephone code. Deputy Prime Minister Edita Tahiri, in an interview for RTK, said that during meetings she had in Brussels, the establishment of the mechanism to apply through the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) was requested to help Kosovo get its telephone prefix. According to Tahiri, the idea of Serbs having their own telephone operator was rejected. While Kosovo is not a UN member and cannot apply for a telephone code itself, it is likely that Austria will request the telephone code for Kosovo and is reported to have expressed readiness to do so.

Ivanovic, another two months in detention (dailies)

The pre-trial judge of the Mitrovica Basic Court granted the application of the Kosovo Special Prosecution Office (SPRK) and ordered the two-month extension of detention on remand for Oliver Ivanovic. The pre-trial judge found him to be a flight risk and possibly influencing witnesses if released. Detention on remand was initially ordered by the Mitrovica Basic Court following Ivanovic’s arrest on 27 January 2014. Ivanovic is suspected of war crimes and aggravated murder.

Gjini: Haradinaj will bring new energy in governance (Epoka e Re)

Ardian Gjini, head of the parliamentary group of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), said in an interview for the paper that, for the good of Kosovo, the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) should become an oppositional party as soon as possible. Gjini said AAK was waiting for signatures from LDK, Vetevendosje and independent MPs to bring down the government. “This government lacks a majority in parliament. Most MPs do not support this government. In normal countries, when the government loses the majority, it resigns,” Gjini said, “Kosovo needs a government with exceptional energy to win back the trust of the people. The AAK is trying to offer this kind of governance with Ramush Haradinaj at its helm.”