UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 22, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: In Brussels I will insist on urgent unconditional release of policemen (Koha)

Escobar: Kurti-Vucic meeting is not expected to happen this week (VoA)

Lajcak meets U.S. senators: De-escalation and return to dialogue is needed (Klan)

Chollet, Lajcak discuss situation in Kosovo (media)

Gervalla: West should change strategy, send other diplomats to Balkans (media)

Police arrest Serb in Gracanica suspected of war crimes (media)

Svecla: Arrested suspected of violence against Albanian prisoners (Koha)

KFOR renews cooperation with Kosovo Security Force (RTK)

Rohde denies reports that 200 German companies are leaving Kosovo (Koha)

KBRA revokes decision to suspend Klan Kosova certificate (media)

Study by Mark Weller on “lessons from Kosovo-Serbia dialogue” (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic for RTS: I will go to Brussels, but I will not talk to Kurti (RTS)

Serbian List: Kurti’s intention to deceive Serbs in Kosovo doom to fail (Radio KIM, media)

Jablanovic reacts to Kurti’s allegations on receiving one million euros and two apartments in Belgrade to withdraw from April elections (Radio KIM, social media)

Lawyer: Serb arrested in Gracanica under 48-hour police custody, expects him to be released (Radio KIM, media)

Pristina amends decision, bans only Serbian goods (N1, BETA)

Serbs in Pomoravlje region protest over recent arrests (Kosovo Online)

Lazarevic: Trained and experienced security personnel were pulled away, while children were pushed to ‘front line’ (KoSSev)

Petkovic responds to Svecla’s remarks on arrest place of Kosovo police officers (Kosovo Online, social media)

International Media:

War Crimes Arrest Sparks Protest by Kosovo Serbs (BIRN)

North Mitrovica: Profound challenge in Kosovo-Serbia ties (The Daily Sabah)

Turkey eyes Balkan influence amid Serbia-Kosovo tensions (The Arab Weekly)

US, EU Warn of Serbia-Kosovo Unrest Igniting Broader Conflict (Bloomberg)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti: In Brussels I will insist on urgent unconditional release of policemen (Koha)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti confirmed on Wednesday that he will take part in the meeting called by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. "Set my itinerary to go to Brussels from Rome tomorrow, confirming my participation in the high-level dialogue meeting convened by HR/VP Borrell. Will insist on the urgent unconditional release of 3 policemen held hostage by Serbia, the de-escalation and normalization of relations,” Kurti tweeted.

Escobar: Kurti-Vucic meeting is not expected to happen this week (VoA)

The meeting called by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, between Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, aimed at reducing tensions, is not expected to take place this week, the U.S. envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar told the Voice of America.

“It is too early to decide if the meeting will take place this week. I have the impression that it will not happen, but we should continue to hope for a high-level meeting as soon as possible,” he said

In this interview, Escobar also opposed Kurti's proposal that for the Association of municipalities with a Serb majority, the parties should agree in advance on its general lines, before Prishtina presents a concrete project. “No need to wait for that. You don't have to wait for that. Our position is that it should be a European model. So our position, the American position, has always been that the model of the association should be such that it provides municipal services to a Serbian-speaking national minority. That's it – utilities. It should not interfere with the constitution of Kosovo, its legal structure, or its functionality. The special representative of the European Union has given them 16 different types of European models that would work for Kosovo. In none of those models it is possible for a neighboring country to enter the borders of another country and hinder its functionality. So we are not looking for a mathematical means between the two positions. Looking for a European version. So he doesn't need anything more than that,” Escobar said.

“We must work immediately on a plan to de-escalate tensions,” he said.

Asked about a change in Washington's policy, putting more pressure on Pristina, Escobar said that this is misinformation and that everything they have done during the last 90 days has been for the good of Kosovo.

“So, we supported the [application] at the Council of Europe. We saw the need for new elections. We supported them. We supported them even though Serbia was against them. We know the result of the election, although they had only 3% participation. Serbia wanted us to declare them illegal. Serbia wanted us not to recognize the authority of the mayors. We recognized them. When the mayors were inaugurated, to us they were mayors. We are already in a difficult position when these mayors cannot claim to represent the communities where they are mayors. That is why we need new elections. But in the same way, we accepted that these mayors have the legal authority to continue the municipal functions. However, we had asked for one thing, that Kosovo should not try to take control of municipal buildings by force,” Escobar said.

Escobar denied that Serbia did nothing to reduce tensions, explaining that they have also asked Serbia to withdraw its forces from the border unilaterally, without conditions; to encourage the Serbs to return unconditionally. And Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic has agreed to both of these.

Asked what will happen if Mr. Kurti doesn't listen to them, Escobar said this is not a U.S.-Kuti issue. “Here is the entire transatlantic community telling the government of Kosovo that we want to cooperate with the government, but we cannot respect unilateral decisions that create tension in an unnecessary, avoidable and predictable way. That's all we're looking for.”

Lajcak meets U.S. senators: De-escalation and return to dialogue is needed (Klan)

EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak said on Wednesday that he met with U.S. senators, Chris Van Hollen and Chris Murphy. "We shared a common assessment of the situation and agreed on the need for de-escalation and return to the dialogue and normalization", said Lajcak, referring to Kosovo and Serbia. Lajcak also said that both senators closely follow the developments in the Western Balkans.

Chollet, Lajcak discuss situation in Kosovo (media)

Counselor to the U.S. Department of State Derek Chollet met on Wednesday with the EU Special Representative for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. Chollet tweeted after the meeting: “Great meeting with EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak about shared commitment to deescalating the situation in Kosovo and Serbia and supporting the Western Balkans’ path toward EU integration”.

Gervalla: West should change its strategy, send other diplomats to Balkans (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Donika Gervalla, said on Wednesday that the West should change its strategy and send other diplomats to the Balkans and take a tougher stance against Serbia.

In an interview given to the Austrian newspaper Der Standard, Gervalla said EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajçak shares the same approach as Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, which, according to her, encourages the latter to escalate the situation.

"The situation is extremely dangerous, and there are even Wagner troops in the country. A new strategy is urgently needed, including new staff, if we want to stop the escalation," she said.

She added that the West should not allow some "problematic" individuals to plunge a region into war. "Kosovo cannot commit political suicide even for its closest friends. We, like the West as a whole, must not allow a few problematic diplomats to plunge the region into war in an unholy alliance with Putin's proxy, Vucic. In any case, we will defend our country because we defend the rule of law and democracy," she said.

"The West must first prevent Vucic from interfering again with threats and violence in a foreign country to implement an election boycott. On March 17, the West guaranteed that there would be no boycott of the April elections. The result is known, it should not be repeated," she added.

Police arrest Serb in Gracanica suspected of war crimes (media)

Kosovo Police on Wednesday arrested a Serb in Gracanica suspected of war crimes in Kosovo. According to the police statement, the arrested individual is suspected of the criminal offense of “war crimes against the civilian population”. He is suspected of having systematically tortured, physically and psychologically abused, and committed inhumane and extreme acts against Albanian prisoners during the war in Kosovo, while serving as a guard at the Lipjan prison.

Police said that during the search of the suspect’s house, they seized material evidence, including a revolver, ammunition, a military knife, a metal shovel, as well as documents, decisions, notes, and his personal phone.

Following this arrest, local Serbs gathered in front of the police station in Gracanica, and briefly blocked the main Pristina-Gjilan road that passes through this municipality. They demanded the release of the arrested individual.

The Serbian List and the Office for Kosovo in the Serbian government have reacted following this arrest. The Serbian List stated that the arrest is “ungrounded”. The party claimed that there is a “hunt for Serbs in front of the eyes of the international community”. The Office for Kosovo in the Serbian government stated that the arrest was a “revenge plan against Serbs” by the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, without providing any evidence to support this claim.

Svecla: Arrested suspected of violence against Albanian prisoners (Koha)

Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Svecla wrote on Facebook on Wednesday that the Kosovo Serb arrested in Gracanica, on suspicion of war crimes, is suspected that in his capacity as a guard in Lipjan prison, had exercised inhumane violence against Albanian prisoners, in collaboration with other persons.

"The participants in the macabre crimes during the war in Kosovo must be held responsible. Regarding the person arrested today in Graçanica, there was a long investigative work, from which sufficient evidence was gathered for the existence of the suspicion of participation in the crimes during the war,” he wrote.

"I congratulate the Kosovo Police for the extraordinary work carried out during the investigations as well as for the arrest. No matter how many years pass, the abuse and torture of those years cannot go unpunished. Those responsible must be brought to justice," he added.

KFOR renews cooperation with Kosovo Security Force (RTK)

The KFOR mission in Kosovo has renewed cooperation with the Kosovo Security Force (FSK), for civil defense operations, such as firefighting, disposal of explosive devices, search and rescue and response to dangerous materials.

Commander of KFOR, Major General Angelo Ristuccia, through a post on Twitter, announced that he met with the Minister of Defense, Armend Mehaj, with whom they discussed the current security situation and the need for an de-escalation of the situation.

"They renewed their collaboration and the KFOR assistance to the KSF for civil protection operations such as firefighting, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), search and rescue (SAR) and response to hazardous materials (HAZMAT)" , it is said in the announcement of KFOR.

Rohde denies reports that 200 German companies are leaving Kosovo (Koha)

German Ambassador to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, has denied that around 200 German companies are leaving Kosovo. “Media reports about 200 German companies leaving Kosovo are totally wrong. Disrespect of journalistic standards: Neither German-Kosovo Business Association nor German Embassy was asked if this is true. What is true: Companies are concerned about current developments, as stated here: Concerning damage for Kosovo’s economic prospect are already on the horizon, damaging its reputation and potential also vis-à-vis business community. We reiterate this call from the German-Kosovar Association of Businesses for imminent de-escalation,” Rohde tweeted.

KBRA revokes decision to suspend Klan Kosova certificate (media)

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) informed that the Kosovo Business Registration Agency (KBRA) has revoked the decision to suspend the business certificate of Klan Kosova television.

“The Association of Journalists of Kosovo, since the publication of this decision, had expressed concerns about the actions of the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, and Trade, and welcomes the fact that the procedures have been completed,” stated an AJK announcement.

On June 14, the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, and Trade filed a criminal complaint against the Trading Company, Klan Kosova, based on the “claim that the business certificate lists Peja – Serbia and Gjakova – Serbia as changes of ownership”.

Based on legal provisions, the KBRA decided to suspend the business certificate of Klan Kosova television until further notice.

The Independent Media Commission (IMC), following this decision, had given a 30-day deadline to Klan Kosova television to fulfill the necessary business documentation at the KBRA.

The private national television station Klan Kosova commenced broadcasting on February 17, 2009.

Study by Mark Weller on “lessons from Kosovo-Serbia dialogue” (Koha)

Study by Mark Weller, Marc Weller, Professor of International Law and International Constitutional Studies in the University of Cambridge. He has advised on dozens of international peace negotiations and constitutional processes, is the author, editor or co-editor of some 25 books in this area, including co-editor of International Law and Peace-settlements (Cambridge University Press, 2021), and has served as occasional advisor to the governments of Kosovo since 1992, starting with President Ibrahim Rugova.

This expert study analyzes the reasons for the present deadlock in the Brussels negotiations on normalization between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia. It demonstrates that the dialogue is being conducted by the present EU Facilitator in a highly unbalanced way, to the point of risking its continuation. Having accommodated Serbia’s refusal to sign the Brussels Basic Agreement of 27 February, the process appears to focus only on issues the Republic of Serbia is willing to discuss, and which require sacrifices on the part of the Republic of Kosovo alone. The entire process, including the German-French Initiative of a Basic Agreement, appears to have been transformed into a machinery to press Kosovo into compliance with the demands of Serbia, while ignoring entirely the intended balance of obligations in the Brussels Basic Agreement. This fact is compounded by a loss of faith in the EU Facilitation and its erratic, unbalanced and at times unprofessional approach throughout.

Read full study at: https://t.ly/A1Zf

Serbian Language Media

Vucic for RTS: I will go to Brussels, but I will not talk to Kurti (RTS)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told RTS morning news edition he will go to Brussels to talk to the EU High Representative Josep Borrell but that he will not talk to Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

“Talks with him (Kurti) make no sense, he is lecturing us about philosophy, a bit about (Adem) Demaci, a bit about (Karl) Marx and that is all. Everything else relates to persecution of the Serbs and lectures about internal and political affairs in central Serbia”, Vucic said.

He also said he will take to Brussels a report on the health condition of the arrested Serbs whom Belgrade liaison officer in Pristina Dejan Pavicevic visited.

Commenting on yesterday’s arrest of a Serb in Gracanica, Vucic said that the only aim of Pristina “was to expel Serbs from the entire Kosovo and Metohija”.

Commenting on the decision of Pristina to allow trucks with Serbian license plates to enter Kosovo if they do not transport Serbian goods, Vucic said it was ‘impudence’. “(…) It means that Serbs can not import oxygen, bread, or water, anything made in Serbia, but you Serbs are welcome if you need to earn money for our foreign companies. We exerted pressure for our American and German goods that Serbs transport. And internationals are not ashamed to brag about such a decision”.

RTS also reported that Serbs in northern Kosovo continue protesting in front of municipal facilities in Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposavic also today.

Serbian List: Kurti’s intention to deceive Serbs in Kosovo doom to fail (Radio KIM, media)

“Intention of Albin Kurti to deceive Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija with lies and bad acting is doomed to fail as Serbs know it very well how Kurti imagines the life for all of them”, Serbian List said in reaction to the video message Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti addressed to Serbs in Kosovo yesterday, Radio KIM reports.

They recalled that Albin Kurti promised “half of the Serbs will be in prisons and the other half expelled as part of ‘Croatian scenario’ he publicly offered and implemented in Kosovo and Metohija”.

“Denying basic human, political and economic rights, beating up, shooting at and kidnapping of the Serbs those are the words that describe the lives of the Serbian people under Albin Kurti’s regime. Obviously incapable of doing anything good for Albanians, instead of better lives he offered them expulsion of Serbs and extinction of everything that is Serbian”, Serbian List said.

They added that Kurti obviously thinks that Serbian people forgot how he banned them from “the right to vote in (Serbian) elections and referendums, banned vaccination in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic and threatened to arrest Serbian doctors, that he confiscates Serbian land not respecting his own laws even, that he built illegal parapolice bases on the Serbian land and ignored the rights of Serb property owners and reports filed by Serbian mayors, that he brought to the doorsteps of the Serbian homes heavily armed Kosovo special police that since beginning of the year in the south and the north wounded six Serbs, including children, that he carried out illegal and illegitimate elections and then violently stormed municipal facilities and turned them into some sort of bases”.

They said Serbs will not give up from requesting respect for their rights, release of the Serbs arrested recently and end to persecution, as well as withdrawal of heavily armed special police forces from municipalities.

Jablanovic reacts to Kurti’s allegations on receiving one million euros and two apartments in Belgrade to withdraw from April elections (Radio KIM, social media)

“I am giving as a gift one apartment and half a million euros to the prime minister, and only kindly ask him to let me know where the other apartment and the rest of the money are”, leader of the Party of Kosovo Serbs (PKS) Aleksandar Jablanovic said reacting to Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti allegations in his video message to the Serbs in Kosovo that he “has heard” Jablanovic “received one million euros and two apartments in Belgrade” to withdraw from April 23 elections in northern Kosovo.

“In a serious democratic system either Mr. Albin Kurti or I would be sitting in the prosecution today having talks there. Since we are far away from democracy, I am giving as a gift to the prime minister one apartment and half a million euros, and only kindly asking him to let me know where the other apartment and rest of the money are”, Jablanovic wrote in a post on Twitter.

Lawyer: Serb arrested in Gracanica under 48-hour police custody, expects him to be released (Radio KIM, media)

Lawyer Dejan Vasic representing Dragisa Milenkovic from Kisnica, near Gracanica, arrested by Kosovo police yesterday told Voice of America that his client was placed under 48-hour police custody and that he was arrested under allegations of committing war crime, Radio KIM reports.

“I expect the misunderstanding to be clarified, as this is obviously about another person linked with the events that my client is accused of and that it will be verified tomorrow. I also hope that prosecution will not request extension of detention measures for him. We have serious objections regarding the process during the search of his house and his arrest given that no defense lawyer had been assigned to him, and it had to be done in that phase of the investigation (…)”, Vasic said yesterday.

Pristina amends decision, bans only Serbian goods (N1, BETA)

Pristina institutions have amended their decision on banning the entry of trucks with Serbian license plates into Kosovo, and this measure now applies only to goods from Serbia, N1 reports citing Pristina-based Koha.net.

Until Wednesday all trucks with Serbian license plates, regardless of the origin of the products they were carrying, were not allowed into Kosovo, which according to Pristina was a security measure introduced after the Serbian police arrested three Kosovo special police officers on June 14.

Pristina had now allowed the entry of vehicles with Serbia-issued license plates into Kosovo “provided that they do not carry cargo originating from Serbia for security reasons”.

Serbs in Pomoravlje region protest over recent arrests (Kosovo Online)

Residents of Stanisor and surrounding villages in Novo Brdo municipality protested yesterday over the arrest of Dragisa Milenkovic in Gracanica but also because of earlier arrests of Serbs in northern Kosovo, Kosovo Online portal reports.

Several hundred people gathered and the traffic was halted for two hours.

A new protest in Ranilug has been called for at noon today to protest recent arrests of the Serbs in Kosovo.

Lazarevic: Trained and experienced security personnel were pulled away, while children were pushed to ‘front line’ (KoSSev)

“The criminalization of the north of Kosovo is underway – it started with the territory, moved on to Serb institutions and legitimate interests, and ends with the citizens. Not everything comes from Pristina, Serbian official structures also participate in this“, the Editor of the KoSSev portal said in the Utisak Nedelje (Impression of the Week) broadcast.

Lazarevic emphasized that the community is “drilled and open to all possible intrusions and influences“ and “permanently in a pressure cooker, between a rock and a hard place.“ “We almost have no chance not to be all criminalized“, she added.

During that time, Kurti established control over territory, and Serbs aided him by withdrawing from Kosovo institutions, just as Belgrade bears the responsibility for the withdrawal of Serbian institutions.

However, this is not the end. “I’m afraid that the presence of the special police is not the worst thing that can happen to citizens in the north“, Lazarevic warned.