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UNMIK Headlines 17 November

Over 20 Serb criminal organizations act in Kosovo (Koha Ditore)

At least 21 organized groups known to state authorities as vandal and criminal structures, act in the north of Kosovo. The most organized formation is Serb national organization “SNP 1398.”  A source close to the security structures in Kosovo, who prefered to remain anonymous, told this daily about all the active groups that function in the north, and described six of them in details: who leads them, who are the members of the group and where their headquarters are. Based on this source, Koha Ditore publishes the general sceme “of vandalist and criminal structures in the north.” Organizations like “SNP 1398,” “Car Lazar” and “Obraz”  requested to be banned even by the Serbian prosecutor, act in the north, reports this daily, and brings the names of the mebers of these groups which intend to violently “liberate and unite all Serb lands in one state.” They consider Kosovo and northern Albania to be Serbian lands as well, reports this daily.

Except for their regular activities in Kosovo, these organizations recruit huligans in Serbia to head towards Kosovo during different Serbian national holidays.

Sensitive issues of the dialogue, after the New Year (Koha Ditore)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi  and the Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, will meet in Brussesl at the beginning of December. According to the sources of this daily, they will discuss opening of liaison offices, implementation of the agreements for integrated border management, Pristina – Nis motorway and other agreements reached during the technical dialogue.  “The sensitive issues will open after the New Year. So far, the most serious issues are opening of the liaison offices and implementation of the integrated border management,” said a senior international official to this daily.

According to Koha Ditore’s local and international sources, the most difficult issue so far remains opening of the liaison offices. The issue was disscussed during the last meeting, however there were many dissagremeents. “The next meeting should happen in the beginning of December, since a week after, we have the meetings of the Foreign Ministers and that of the Council,” said an EU official to this daily.

Kosovo becomes member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (dailies)

The Board of Governors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved on Friday the request of Kosovo to become a member of this institution. Officially, Kosovo will become a member after the conclusion of procedural issues. The intention of the decision is to support  Kosovo on improvement of economy and private sector.

The resolution stressed that the decision is without prejudice to the positions of the EBRD’s individual members on the status of Kosovo,” says a press release issued on Friday, which stresses that after the approval of the Board of Governors, Kosovo will be the 66th member if prior or before 17 December 2012, complets the internal procedures precedent to membership, as set out in the resolution.

EULEX ready for IBM agreement (Express)

EULEX chief Xavier de Marnhac has had meetings with officials in Belgrade, including the Serbian Prime Minister, Ivica Dacic. “The main issues that were discussed were continuance of the cooperation of Serbian institutions with EULEX in the field of the rule of law, as well as implementation of the agreements reached through the dialogue facilitated by EU, including the project of the Integrated Border Management,” says a press release issued by EULEX.

“EULEX is ready to help on facilitation of every agreement reached between Pristina and Belgrade. IBM remains a priority for all parties. EULEX’s role will be determined completely in accordance with the mandate of the mission and each agreement reached between Pristina and Belgrade,” Marnhac is quoted as saying.

Serbian Prime Minister Dacic requested from EULEX to have an executive role and to be neutral towards the status of Kosovo.

Thaçi President, without elections (Zëri)

According to Zëri, the Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi, intends to gain the position of the President of the country, without direct elections, but through the Assembly of Kosovo, prior to the election reform.

This daily reports that such possibility was neither denied nor confirmed by the senior officials of this party. Deputy leader of this part and Deputy Minister of the country, Hajredin Kuçi that he does not possess such information and that he does not coment the possibility.

Deputy of the Democratic League of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani stated that PDK has intentionally blocked the election reform, in order to profit from the current situation. Glauk Konjuvca from Vetëvendosje movement, stated that  Thaçi’s single interest is to remain in power as long as possible and that he would use all forms and manners to reach this.