UNMIK Headlines 4 March
Witness insecurity produces Tribunal (Koha Ditore)
Three years ago, when he spoke of the claims that implicated the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) in war crimes, former Council of Europe rapporteur Dick Marty raised concerns on how to protect witnesses. He did not trust both international missions present in Kosovo. Marty stated that he will not give any sensitive information, such as the identity of witnesses and their statements, as there is no “absolute guarantee” that the information will remain secret.
Marty, who authored the report about organ trafficking in Kosovo, also spoke about the inability of EULEX and UNMIK to develop instruments to conduct sensitive investigations, such as the protection of witnesses or the prevention of leaked information. Therefore, the Special Investigation Task Force established in 2011 by the EU Council will handle these claims.
In general, protected witnesses have been threatened, attacked and intimidated. One such witness was found dead in Germany. There is also an investigative case revealing their identity on public television. It is precisely the inability of the Kosovar justice institutions to ensure sufficient protection for witnesses. According to a Government source, Europeans insist on the establishment of an ad hoc Tribunal to try the claims about crimes committed in Kosovo as noted in Marty’s report.
Tribunal, a “ticking bomb” (Zëri)
Since the idea for a Tribunal that would investigate and try suspected crimes by the KLA was put in place, there are now reasons to believe that such initiatives could cause unrest in Kosovo. KLA veterans see this initiative as something that could destabilize the situation in Kosovo. They “threaten” that if such a court is established, former KLA guerilla will ‘stand in its feet’. Meanwhile, former KLA soldier Rexhep Selimi, now Vetevendosje deputy in the Kosovo Assembly, mentioned that participants in the conflict were challenged unfairly by The Hague Tribunal andfrom EULEX.
Kosovo Armed Forces officially established today (Epoka e Re)
Kosovo’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Petrit Selimi, said that the Kosovo Armed Forces will be officially established today. “Finally, after the approval of the strategic document of the security sector review, we will begin the formal process by declaring the creation of mobile and military units. This is where the concept, function, reasonability, budget, material, and means change,” Selimi told Klan Kosova.
Kosovo’s isolated official in Belgrade (Koha Ditore)
Kosovo’s Liaison Officer in Belgrade, Valdet Sadiku, continues to be isolated in his post and has no contact with anyone outside. Even the meetings he holds are surveyed by Serbian authorities. Belgrade-based journalist Fahri Musliu is, however, one of the people that contacted and met Sadiku last month. Musliu said he noticed how Sadiku is isolated and only spoke of the achievements of the Kosovo Foreign Ministry. Musliu said it was a mistake for the Government of Kosovo to appoint an ambassador to the post of liaison officer instead of a public servant. According to sources, Sadiku attended a reception hosted by a European diplomat and was simply ignored.
Dangerous fund (Tribuna)
Economy experts consider that the creation of a fund for the economic development of the territory with privatised money is dangerous. They warn Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi not to risk citisens’ money for political marketing. “Creating a new investment fund, without specifying the nature of the investments, would not make any sense,” stated Agron Demi, Director of the GAP Institute for Advanced Studies.
Thaçi: LDK is a non-institutional party (Koha Ditore)
Except pre-election promises, Prime Minister and PDK leader, Hashim Thaçi, started attacking political rivals. In a so-called awareness campaign in Lipjan/Ljipjane, Thaçi called LDK a non-institutional party. He said parties that don’t win more than seven percent of votes cannot lead the Government. He accused Vetevendosje, though not by name, for the “noise and arrogance” it creates inside and outside institutions. “We have entered the seventh year of governance and we face new challenges as a Government, but also as PDK. And of course, the most noise will be made again during PDK’s address, like in 2010 and 2011. LDK abandoned Kosovo institutions without thinking and this shows that they are a non-institutional party,” said Thaçi during comments made about other political parties.
Haradinaj: Government needs to be dismissed (dailies)
In a public debate in Pristina, Alliance for Future of Kosovo (AAK) leader Ramush Haradinaj said it would be detrimental to Kosovo if it heads to general elections without first dismissing the current Government. “It would neither be a realistic nor honest conclusion if the government that impoverished Kosovo and caused great losses is not dismissed,” Haradinaj said, calling on the two other opposition parties, Democratic League of Kosovo and Vetevendosje, to support the motion of no confidence for the Government.
“Srpska” prepares for the Government (Tribuna)
Political analysts believe the “Srpska” List plays a significant political role. Its power will be demonstrated at the central and local levels by administrating nine municipalities and creating the Association of Serb Municipalities. Further, their battle to keep reserved seats at the Kosovo Assembly is not lost yet. If the “Srpska” List repeats the local elections’ results at the central level, this political party could then take two or three ministries of the Government of Kosovo. If the Prime Minister demonstrates flexibility, they could also have a position of Deputy Prime Minister. If the request is approved for an extension of another mandate for reserved seats, “Srpska” would then have the majority of these seats and a place at the Assembly Chairmanship.
Three convicted for obstruction of “Kosova 2.0” event (Koha Ditore)
Albert Kastrati, Gani Latifi and Driton Dili have been declared guilty by the Basic Court in Pristina in connection with the incidents of 14 December 2012 where they attacked “Kosova 2.0” magazine staff during their issue launch. On Monday, EULEX’s press release informed that the three persons were convicted and imprisoned for one year. However they will not go to prison, if they don’t commit any other criminal act within two years; the decision was suspended for two years.