Headlines - 02.06.2014 OSCE: Boycott can be avoided by understanding north’s situation (Koha) On the front page, the paper runs an interview with the head of the OSCE mission in Kosovo, Jean-Claude Schlumberger, who is quoted as saying that in order to avoid a boycott of the elections in the north, all outstanding issues need to be resolved before 8 June. He also stressed the importance of constructive engagement and understanding the historical situation in the north. “This would be the best recipe to ensure participation and avoid a boycott”, said Ambassador Schlumberger. He also noted that the OSCE will support the election process in the north by providing advice to municipal election commissions; assistance in transporting voting applications; and election material and advice for polling station commissions on election day. “We are also assisting the CEC (Central Election Commission) with its ‘how to vote’ campaign in the north”, he said.  Cliff: Kosovo needs new political faces (Zëri) The Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Kosovo, Ian Cliff, is convinced that Kosovo needs new political faces, especially those who intend to bring economic development. He said that the outgoing government has failed to create prospects for the youth. Even though he openly criticizes the failure to complete election reform, he requests all parties not to manipulate votes, warning that there will be consequences. Also in the interview, Cliff says the dialogue with Serbia should continue, no matter who will be heading the future government. Cliff also harshly criticized the Privatization Agency of Kosovo and called for an interruption of its activities. He also makes it clear to the politicians in the north that the symbol of the “Republic of Kosovo” will not be removed from the ballots, adding that non-participation in the elections would only harm them.  Germany does not interfere in Kosovo’s governance (Tribuna) The German Ambassador in Kosovo, Peter Blomeyer, spoke about an analysis of the Ljubljana-based International Institute for Middle-East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES), which says the international community would like to see war leaders removed in Kosovo. The German Ambassador rejected this analysis, saying that Germany is neutral with regards to who will win the elections. He said, “Germany will support whoever wins. We only request that the elections be democratic,” said Peter Blomeyer.  Rexhepi: Parties should demonstrate maturity on 8 June (Epoka e Re) The outgoing Minister of Interior, Bajram Rexhepi, stated in an interview for this daily that all parties are aware that holding free, fair and democratic elections, according to European standards, is in the nation’s interest, as assessment of the elections will have an impact on visa liberalization and European integration. “We have already made all the preparations for the early general elections. Just as in the local elections of last year, Kosovo Police and the Prosecutor of the State are in a state of emergency so that they can assure a free, fair and democratic election process,” said Rexhepi.  Srpska’s boycott threat reflects a fear of losing (Zëri) Mayors of Serb-majority municipalities held a joint meeting in Mitrovica and warned that conditions for the participation of Serbs in the 8 June elections have not yet been met. Mayors Goran Rakic (Mitrovica North), Dragan Jablanovic (Leposavic/Leposaviq), Stevan Vulovic (Zubin Potok), Dragan Nikolic (Partesh/Partes), Gradimir Mikic (Ranilug/Ranillug), and Srecko Spasic (Kllokot/Klokot), said the basic principles of democracy and European values are still being violated. “The position of the Central Elections Commission, which sets new regulations on the number of mandates based on election results, represents a clear example of the violation of the Law on General Elections in Kosovo and it indirectly reduces the rights of the Serb population and other non-Albanian ethnicities in Kosovo,” says a press release issued after their meeting. However, based on its sources, this daily reports that Serbs will participate in elections, despite their objections to the logo of the Kosovo state. “Serbs from the north fear that they will not gain more than 10 seats after the 8 June elections, in the next legislature of Kosovo, and they are therefore making threats,” said one source.   “Thieves” of 8 June to face up to 5 years in prison (Botapress) In the 8 June elections, fraud will be less likely because the election process will be observed by hundreds of policemen and prosecutors, fraud will be investigated as a priority, and the punishment will be at least 5 years in jail. State Prosecutor Laura Pula said that the Prosecution dealt with 1600 fraud cases during the 2010 elections, and will conduct even wider investigations this time around, to identify fraud suspects.  There will be no delays in visa liberalization (Lajm) The coordinator of the Kosovo government for visa liberalization, Besnik Vasolli, believes that the arrival of Eurosceptics in the European Parliament will not cause problems regarding visa liberalization. According to him, Kosovo has fulfilled all criteria from the guide for visa liberalization. “We don’t believe that the recent elections in the European Parliament will endanger visa liberalization, since it largely remains a technical process,” said Vasolli.