UNMIK Headlines 14 October
Mustafa to President: It’s either you or us (Epoka e Re)
In an interview for the paper, the leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Isa Mustafa, said he advised the President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, to ask the Constitutional Court for clarifications on how to implement its recent ruling. “This would be a positive act, which would pave the way for resolving the situation. If the President doesn’t do it, we will”, Mustafa said. He stressed that the solution to the current political stalemate should be sought only within the Assembly and that the parties of the post-election coalition will not give up their mission. “In any democratic country, if a party or coalition wins the elections but fails to secure the majority… then it backs down and leaves space for other parties that do have the majority”, Mustafa added.
Pristina agrees to give Basic Court to the north (Koha)
The paper reports on the front page that Pristina has made another concession in the dialogue with Belgrade by agreeing to Kosovo’s northern municipalities getting their own Basic Court. This information was included in a report that the Pristina authorities sent to the European Union about the implementation of agreements reached in Brussels. The report says that parallel mechanisms, including courts and a paramilitary structure, continue to operate freely in northern Kosovo. The report, which includes the period from January to September of this year, includes plans for the establishment of a Basic Court in the Serb-inhabited north. The government also notes in the report that the association of Serb-majority municipalities would be established only after implementing the agreement on security and the judiciary.
Cliff: Growing frustration in London and Brussels over deadlock (Koha)
Ian Cliff, the British Ambassador to Kosovo, said on Monday in Pristina that the government needs to be established as soon as possible because there is growing frustration in London, Berlin, Brussels and also among the people of Kosovo, with the failure to establish new institutions. Cliff’s remarks were made during a debate organized by the Pristina-based Group for Legal and Political Studies.
Hoxhaj: If we go into elections, we’ll beat the coalition bloc (Zeri)
Enver Hoxhaj, the deputy leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and outgoing Foreign Minister of Kosovo, told the paper on Monday that a coalition government is possible between his party, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), “because these parties have served Kosovo during the most important processes”. Hoxhaj said that, if an agreement is not reached and Kosovo goes into early elections, then the PDK alone will defeat the coalition bloc.
Grabovci: No solution without agreement with PDK (Kosova Sot)
Adem Grabovci, deputy leader of the Democratic party of Kosovo (PDK), said on Monday that his party does not believe early elections are necessary. He also said that the political deadlock can be solved only if a party from the coalition bloc is ready to reach an agreement with the PDK.
LDK won’t support Kurti’s candidacy for Prime Minister (Lajm)
Lutfi Haziri, a member of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) presidency and mayor of the Gjilan/Gnjilane municipality, said on Monday that Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti’s eventual candidacy for the post of Prime Minister, in the case of early elections, only reflects a Vetevendosje wish. In an interview for Botapress, Haziri said the coalition bloc already has an agreement and that its candidate for Prime Minister is Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK). Haziri rejected the possibility of the coalition bloc supporting Kurti’s eventual candidacy for the post.
Crucial week (Lajm)
The paper reports on the front page that political parties believe this week is crucial for breaking the political deadlock. If parties fail to reach an agreement, Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga will consider the possibility of calling early national elections, based on Article 84 of the Constitution of Kosovo.
Graffiti at Decani Monastery done by three juveniles (Tribuna)
Interior Minister Bajram Rexhepi said that, according to information obtained by Kosovo Police, the graffiti that appeared two days ago on the Decani Monastery’s property was the doing of three juveniles. In a statement for RTK2, Rexhepi added that the investigations are ongoing and that the police will speak to the parents of the three juveniles to make sure such acts are not carried out in the future.