LOCAL PRESS

 

Drecun: Attempts for Serbia to change stand on Kosovo’s status (Tanjug)

The Chairman of the Serbian parliamentary Committee for Kosovo and Metohija Milovan Drecun has stated that there are efforts by some states for the entire process of chapter-opening and normalization of relations with Kosovo to be completed with Serbia’s changed stand towards the Kosovo status issue. “At issue are attempts of some states to condition the process of EU integration and normalization with Serbia formally recognizing Kosovo at the end of that process and open its path towards UN membership,” Drecun told journalists in the Serbian parliament building. He says that Serbia needs to reject during this period the strong attempt at imposing this conditioning. He explains that some Western countries think that the unclear status is why Kosovo is progressing slowly in the EU process, so that certain countries wish to resolve the Kosovo status, which cannot be done without agreement with Serbia. He reminds that the normalization process is unfolding in a status-neutral framework and that Serbia finds it unacceptable to abandon this framework. According to him, Serbia can reach an agreement with the provisional institutions and with Kosovo with an asterisk, but an agreement that would not be interpreted as an agreement with an independent state. He says that the situation in the country is clear – that we have a majority atmosphere that opposes recognition, that we have the Constitution and parliamentary documents, and that an eventual referendum would only confirm this stand. “Serbia cannot and will not give up Kosovo and Metohija,” said Drecun, adding that it is possible to be in a situation to resolve the Kosovo problem at some international conference, in agreement with Belgrade and Pristina, and that this agreement should be reaffirmed at a referendum. Speaking about Kosovo’s UNESCO membership, Drecun says that Kosovo has the support of powerful states that are lobbying for Kosovo’s membership. He thinks that powerful states had promised membership to the authorities in Pristina as compensation over the formation of the Special Court for war crimes and the Community of Serb Municipalities. He says that Pristina will try in every way to achieve recognition, and that “the most painless” path to enter the UN system is through such organizations.

 

Tanaskovic: Kosovo almost certainly on agenda of UNESCO Executive Council (Tanjug)

The Serbian Ambassador to UNESCO Darko Tanaskovic has assessed that it is almost certain that the request for Kosovo’s admission to UNESCO will be placed on the agenda of the UNESCO Executive Council and that this will be debated and decided on around 20^th October. “Considering the fact that 32 member states of the Executive Council have recognized Kosovo, and around 20 have supported Albania’s request, it is almost certain that this item will be placed on the agenda. Even if Kosovo were a state with international subjectivity and sovereignty, which it is not, Kosovo would not be qualified and would not fulfill basic conditions for membership,” he said.

 

Trap in 49 points (Novosti)

According to Novosti, the draft text of the negotiating platform for Chapter 35 that was submitted to the Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric in Brussels on Wednesday includes 49 points, most of which are not neutral in status, but directly lead towards recognition of Kosovo’s independence. Novosti’s sources state that all those traps that Belgrade has been scarcely managing to avoid in the course of the Brussels dialogue have been incorporated in this draft document. The part that is especially unfavorable for Serbia is the one that refers to the energy system in Kosovo and Metohija, because it is practically requested that it be handed over to Pristina. Indirect recognition of Kosovo, which is “offered” with a series of concrete solutions, should be “crowned” with the signing of a legally-binding agreement between Belgrade and Pristina. One part of the EU states insists that this agreement is signed between two states or to determine already now the final goal of the normalization of relations as recognition of Kosovo and its UN membership. Sources from the EU leadership claim for Novosti that the disputable paper is being written in the cabinet of the EU Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy Johannes Hahn, and then sent through the EU Council to all member states for harmonization. Before presenting their stands or objections and suggestions, they can consult with Serbia, which leaves room for Belgrade to reach a more favorable text. The final text must be approved by all member states. For the time being, it is unknown whether there will be benchmarks and which specifically, for the opening of Chapter 35, while the assumption is that this could be the implementation of some of the reached agreements with Pristina or even reaching some new agreements.

 

Dacic: Refugee crisis increasingly difficult to deal with (Tanjug)

Serbia is among the countries most endangered by the current migration of peoples, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic has warned in Luxembourg. Over 200,000 irregular migrants have been registered in Serbia to date - 8.6 times more compared to the entire year of 2014, Dacic said at Thursday’s meeting of justice and foreign ministers of EU and Western Balkan countries.
He said that 35,000 Serb refugees from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are in the reintegration process while 300,000 others are in the integration process, and that Serbia is also caring for 200,000 internally displaced Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija. Serbia is finding it increasingly difficult to handle that burden with the inflow of refugees increasing, Dacic noted, appealing to the EU to coordinate a strategy to resolve the refugee crisis as soon as possible.

 

OMIK condemns violence in Kosovo Assembly (Tanjug)

The Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo (OMIK) Jean-Claude Schlumberger condemned the opposition blocks and violence seen in the Kosovo Assembly on Thursday. The violence seen in the Kosovo Assembly is unacceptable and detrimental to democracy, he said and added that disturbing images of tear gas, MPs seeking medical assistance and other incidents undermine the perception of progress of democracy in Kosovo. Institutional blocks are harmful for progress and reforms, states the OMIK’s release. Self-Determination Movement MP Aljbin Kurti threw tear gas in the parliament hall on Thursday, after the continuation of the sitting which was blocked by the opposition earlier in the day in protest against Brussels agreement reached by Belgrade and Pristina, especially the point that covers the constitution of the Community of Serb municipalities.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

SDA Presidency unanimously accepted coalition with SBB (Nezavisne)

The Presidency of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) made unanimous decision to go into further agreements with the Alliance for a Better Future (SBB) on forming the government, as confirmed by the President of the SDA, Bakir Izetbegovic, at a press conference held in the headquarters of this party in Sarajevo. “Variety of topics were discussed at sitting of the Presidency of the SDA, including the position of Bosniaks in the Republika Srpska, the Bosnian language, discrimination, referendum in RS, work of the Council of Ministers, the Federation government etc. We made unanimous decision to support the proposal of the Collegium of SDA and go into further negotiations with the SBB. We believe that the SBB should join and become a part of the governing structure, we need to maintain the coalition of the A SDA and SB&H, that should be one block together with the SDA, and any changes regarding the Alliance for changes at the state level are not an option,” said Izetbegovic.  When asked who will decide on these matters, Izetbegovic said: “I would not like to have outvoting regarding this, I would like to make an agreement with the HDZ, the SBB and the Alliance for Change and I will work on reaching the agreement.”

 

Bosic: No conditions for the reconfiguration of power at B&H level (Srna/Oslobodjenje)

President of the SDS Mladen Bosic said that the party, as well as others that make the Alliance for Change, believes that there are no conditions for a change of the parliamentary majority at the state level. Bosic said that such a position, during a recent conversation, was also conveyed to the SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic. “We have signed an agreement with the SDA and the DF and we have some results in the functioning of the executive branch. Our cooperation with DF is completely correct,” Bosic told Oslobodjenje. He said that the DF Minister Slavko Matanovic is doing his job and has the results, so I do not see the reason for some reconfiguration of government at the B&H level. “As for the Federation, that is not our job. I do not have any influence, or the desire to get involved. That is our position. However, we are not faced with a dilemma of whether there will be changes or not, that was just the conversation about the possible outcomes, and if you ask me what I predict - I predict that there will be no changes in the parliamentary majority at the state level,” Bosic said. The SDS leader reiterated that any cooperation with the SNSD, Milorad Dodik, or “any involvement of Dodik in the Council of Ministers” is absolutely unacceptable for his party. “There can be either us or him. This is a clear situation and the clear choice. If someone thinks that it is better to be with the SNSD instead with the Alliance for Change, and if they form a parliamentary majority, so be it, but at this point I do not see that to be possible,” said Bosic.

 

B&H to submit application for EU membership early next year (Fena)

Members of the B&H Presidency have met with the High Representative Valentin Inzko and Principal Deputy HR and Brcko District Supervisor Bruce Berton. They discussed political and social situation in B&H. They exchanged views on activities related to fulfillment of conditions for EU and NATO integration. It has been said that B&H intends to submit application for membership in the EU early next year. Presidency members reiterated that there is consensus among them when it comes to the decision related to the progress towards EU. It has been concluded that there is clear commitment in Presidency to work on political and economic progress in B&H. Inzko and Berton said that international community supports progress of B&H and strengthening of the functionality of state level institutions, for the purpose of EU and NATO integration.

 

Karadzic wrote to Ban Ki-moon (Srna)

First president of Republika Srpska (RS) Radovan Karadzic sent a letter to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to draw his attention to a serious issue concerning the health condition of the accused before the Hague Tribunal. Karadzic’s letter expressed doubts that the UN Secretary-General is informed of the health condition of the accused in The Hague, and noted that that he has presented this issue to the administration of the detention unit, register, Judicial Council and that they have all refused to take any responsibility for this situation. He said that at The Hague Tribunal two sudden deaths of the accused took place, two suicides, and that 11 prisoners are suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer and leukemia. “Such a high degree of malignancy among hundred people at the detention facility should have already triggered the investigation by the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the World Health Organization,” Karadzic said. In his letter, Karadzic says that families of the deceased, as well as those who go through the costly and complicated treatment, deserve attention and support of all, and particularly of the United Nations. Karadzic in the letter stated that recently he had an emergency gall bladder surgery, that he has a high blood sugar, and that prior to his arrival to the detention center he was in perfect health.

 

Montenegro: LP proposes resolution on the Stabilization (RTCG)

The Liberal Party (LP) will submit the Montenegrin Parliament draft resolution on the stabilization of the political and parliamentary life in Montenegro. “Realizing the necessity of the highest representative body of the citizens of Montenegro to give a particular contribution to the social progress through the normalization of the functioning of political relations and a clear commitment to further action on the principles of parliamentary democracy, we are confident that other parliamentary groups will support this resolution,” said the Liberals. The resolution which will be proposed to the Parliament by the Liberals will clearly identify all the challenges that Montenegro's political and parliamentary system is facing, and try to concretize the commitment of all parliamentary entities for addressing such challenges in a concrete way. The Liberal Party of Montenegro also welcomes the decision of the Speaker of the Parliament Ranko Krivokapic to respond to the demands of liberals and finally set up the first meeting of the fall session on October 13 in Cetinje.

 

SDSM: International community will offer a new electoral bill, without the Diaspora’s vote (Meta.mk)

On most issues, which were discussed on October 7th, working groups have closed the topics, but SDSM issued a statement that the problem was the question of the vote for the Diaspora and decision-making in the SEC. It is possible that in this election the Diaspora voting will be suspended at the request of the international community. Yesterday, a new meeting of the working groups took place in a form of bilateral meetings between the parties, and today the International Community will deliver their new draft bill. As informed by the opposition, the question of campaign financing is closed, and it was decided that the media cannot donate money to campaigns of political parties. The political parties still have not reached consensus on whether Macedonia will be one or more constituencies, because it is directly linked to the vote of the Diaspora. For now though, it is agreed that a full audit of the list should be done out in the field, by cross checking the databases. There will not be an active registration because many foreign experts said that it was a dysfunctional decision. Next elections will be easier to solve problems like fictitious voters like last year because the SEC has greater power and access to the Ministries databases.

 

INTERNATIONAL PRESS

 

Serbia snatches 2-0 win in Albania in tense Euro qualifier (AP, by Derek Gatopoulos and Llazar Semini, 8 October 2015)

ELBASAN, ALBANIA - Serbia snatched a late 2-0 over Albania with injury-time goals from Aleksandar Kolarov and Adem Ljajic, stunning the hosts in a tense European qualifier.

The match took place a year after the two sides met in a violent confrontation in Belgrade involving a drone flown onto the pitch. Following a drama-filled build up to Thursday's game, the Albanians fought tirelessly for possession, roared on by rowdy supporters through long spells of heavy rain. But 12,000 fans at Elbasan Arena were silenced when Alksandar Mitrovic unselfishly left the ball to Kolarov who fired in at an angle. Ljajic added the second moments later following a solo run. Authorities imposed heavy security, with road closures, a heavy police presence and individual searched of all the supporters entering the stadium. Serbian fans stayed away from the Group I game and Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic also turned down an invitation to attend. "Overall, I think we deserved the win. We sustained a lot of pressure at the start of the game and lost concentration for a spell in the second half," said Serbia coach Radovan Curcic, whose team had already been eliminated. "But we came here to score a goal and that's what we did. We regained our composure late in the game and that was decisive." Determined to prevent a repeat of violence, police carried out a riot drill a few hours before kickoff in front of thousands of bemused fans, firing water cannon bursts as a helicopter buzzed over nearby apartment buildings. During searches, police dumped lighters, phone chargers —which they believed could be used as weapons — and nationalist banners into the gutter, as they checked ticket names against passports and ID cards. Albania is guaranteed a playoff spot for Euro 2016 qualifying, but Thursday's result saw the Eagles suffer a setback in their quest for a direct place in their first major tournament. The hosts pressed throughout the game but created few chances, their best also coming late in the match. Taulant Xhaka fired across the Serbian goal in the 60th minute. Sokoi Cikalleshi's powerful shot toward goal in the 76th was well saved by Serbian goalkeeper Vladimir Skojkopvic. "We should have been more careful at the end after showing maturity during the match," Albanian captain Lorik Cana. "They were expecting that moment to catch us by surprise in a counterattack. We should have stopped that." Serbia and Albania remain at odds over the status of now-independent Kosovo, and fan rivalry is still intense after a decade of Balkan wars through the 1990s. Home supporters in Elbasan, including many traveling from Kosovo, booed loudly when the Serbian national anthem was played but clapped when rival players were photographed forming a joint line before the game started. Edi Rama, the Albanian prime minister, watched the match alone in the stands, and thanked the fans for their good behavior. He wished the team luck on its final qualifier in Armenia on Sunday. "A draw would have been fair but that's football. The best people at the stadium today were the amazing red-and-black public fans," Rama wrote on his Facebook page. "Tomorrow's another day. The dream continues in Armenia."

 

EU urges Macedonia's political parties to reach agreement on election reforms (Xinhua, 8 October 2015)

SKOPJE -- The European Union has expressed concern that the Macedonian parties have failed to reach an agreement on election reforms. "We call on the leaders of the four parties to reach an agreement today. The day of the elections is near. Therefore, the Electoral Code should be adopted as soon as possible and its implementation should begin in the eve of the April elections," Maja Kocijancic, a spokeswoman for the EU's foreign policy chief, said on Thursday.

The political parties have made no progress on finalizing the election reforms, no matter the support given by the work groups, said the EU spokeswoman. On June 2, 2015, EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn, after a day-long meeting with key political leaders in Macedonia, told reporters that "it was agreed that by the end of April next year there should be early elections." The agreement on reforms for early elections has been seen as a necessary step in order to overcome the deep political crisis in Macedonia.

 

Montenegro Protesters Refuse to Quit Streets (BIRN, by Dusica Tomovic, 8 October 2015)

Anti-goverment protesters blocking the main streets in the capital Podgorica for days have ignored an order to unblock them and disperse. Despite an order from the local authorities to unblock traffic in the centre of Podgorica, protesters on Wednesday said they would use "their bodies" to defend their right to demonstrate against Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic's government. The Podgorica authorities on Tuesday ordered the protest organizers to remove their stage and tent city set up outside the parliament on September 27 and unblock the streets. But as the deadline passed on Wednesday, the opposition refused to comply with the demand. The leader of the civil initiative Alternative, Vesko Pejak, told BIRN that the protesters do not intend to give up "the only free territory in Montenegro". He believes the authorities will not dare to use force against the thousands of people who have been protesting since last week. "These few hundred square meters are only free space in a country that is fully occupied by a system that is broken," he said. A 24-hour demonstration launched last week demanded the creation of an interim government to organise what they say would be Montenegro’s “first ever free and fair elections”. The main opposition party alliance, the Democratic Front, joined by several civic and student organizations, accuses Djukanovic's government of widespread corruption, undemocratic practices and election fraud. For the first time responding directly to opposition demands, Djukanovic said a responsible government cannot meet ultimatums set by a political group "supported by 6 per cent of the citizens". Djukanovic told national radio on Wednesday that the protests were an opportunity for the government to show its democratic character, however, stressing that protests are a valuable way of expressing political views, if exercised according to law. "The organizers do their best to win the broadest possible support from the international public. However, this support only comes from Belgrade - and not from the state policy of Serbia, which is very important to note and confirms the quality of new inter-state relations between Serbia and Montenegro," Djukanovic said. Djukanovic has been in power since 1991 and is the longest serving leader in the Balkans and Europe. The current coalition government was formed after the 2012 elections. It comprises Djukanovic's Democratic Party of Socialists, the Social Democratic Party, and three ethnic minority parties. The next general election is not due until spring next year.

 

 

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Media summaries are produced for the internal use of the United Nations Office in Belgrade, UNMIK and UNHQ.  The contents do not represent anything other than a selection of articles likely to be of interest to a United Nations readership.