Thaçi: Albanians would prefer living in one country (Epoka e Re)

On the ceremony hosted by the Government of Kosovo on the centenary of Albania’s independence, Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi is quoted as saying that Albanians did not create two states because they wanted to as they would much better prefer to live in a single country within the European family.

“Kosovo, that gave crucial contribution for independence of Kosovo through uprisings from Hasan Prishtina, and many other parts remained outside Albania. Today there are people who tell us we have two states. We did not create two states because we wanted to. This is a reality. But we would much more wanted to live in a single country within European family,” said Thaçi.

Thaçi “declares” war on EULEX (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports on the front page that Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and his Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) did not receive well the decision of the District Court to detain PDK deputy leader Fatmir Limaj and three other KLA fighters who are being charged with crimes.

Thaçi accused the EU rule-of-law mission (EULEX) of working in “insidious fashion and behind the back of the Government”. During his address at the Adem Jashari barracks in Pristina for the celebration of 100^th anniversary of Albania’s independence, Thaçi said Limaj’s detention was an insidious act by the EU mission.

“No one has the right to stain our rightful war and victorious war and our freedom fighters, no one can and does not have the right, not even EULEX in the middle of the night, secretly and behind the back of Kosovo institutions to arrest the fighters of the Republic of Kosovo, such as Fatmir Limaj and other fighters,” Thaçi said. He also added that Kosovo institutions have been misused after this action.

Few moments later, PDK parliamentary group chief Adem Grabovci announced that the biggest party in the Kosovo Assembly would launch an initiative for reviewing the mandate of the EU mission.

Veseli: Arrest by EULEX, a grave act that damages Kosovo (Koha Ditore)

Kadri Veseli, former head of the Kosovo Intelligence Service (SHIK) and now member of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), commented on the detention of Fatmir Limaj and his fellow combatants. Veseli said the detention was “an act that does not help democratic processes in Kosovo, it hurts the feelings of our people and it stains freedom fighters and our fair liberation war.”

 “What makes this act even graver is that it was done without consultations with state authorities and instead of sending messages of genuine cooperation and coordination it sends messages of lack of trust and confrontation,” Veseli said. “I don’t believe this serves the European Union which is making so much investment in Kosovo for installing a climate of democracy and democratic institutions, the rule of law and rights for individuals.”

“The latest act has left uncertainties and lack of trust between us. This should not happen and it should be repaired with their release. Kosovo needs assistance and partnership with the EU and EULEX, but there is an urgent need to install the logic of mutual institutional and political respect,” Veseli concluded.

Vetëvendosje: Political elimination of Limaj (Koha Ditore)

The Vetëvendosje! movement has reacted against the decision of the Supreme Court of Kosovo to announce a detention measure for Fatmir Limaj and three other defendants in the Kleçka case. Vetëvendosje argues that there is a political motive behind reactivating the Kleçka case. According to them, the trial against Limaj constitutes selective judging, “as they want to portray Limaj as very corrupted and Thaçi as least corrupted”.

Vetëvendosje also said that the decision to reactivate the Kleçka case is aimed at Limaj’s political elimination. “He was detained after asking for democracy within his own political party. Now that there are elections in the PDK, Limaj represents an obstacle in the plan for the total takeover from SHIK. It looks like Limaj was not allowed to question Kadri Veseli’s positioning in the party. EULEX is fighting against Hashim Thaçi’s internal political opponents,” Vetëvendosje said in their reaction.

Limaj’s fellow combatants: Empty statements by Thaçi (dailies)

Several dailies report that former members of the 121^st Kumanova Brigade of the Kosovo Liberation Army reacted against the arrest and detention of Fatmir Limaj and his fellow combatants. This time their reaction was focused on statements made by Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, saying that his remarks were empty and represent a game with the feelings of former fighters and the people.

“We, the fellow combatants of Fatmir Limaj, Nexhmi Krasniqi, Naser Krasniqi and Naser Shala, are shocked with the statement of Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi who accused EULEX for arresting Limaj and his co-fighters,” said the reaction. “We call on Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, Justice Minister Hajredin Kuçi, to restore justice by freeing our friends and not make empty statements. They [Thaçi and Kuçi] should not play with our feelings by claiming that they don’t have any responsibility on this matter. You are the address of responsibility for this injustice and for the political persecution against KLA combatants.”

Ivanovic: We will build barricades (Zëri)

Oliver Ivanovic, state secretary in the former Serbian Ministry for Kosovo, said yesterday that Kosovo Serbs would oppose the implementation of the integrated border management agreement with protests, barricades and blocking roads.

“Serb citizens will try to impede the implementation of this agreement by organizing protests and blocking roads,” Ivanovic said. He added that the only solution would be an agreement between representatives of the Government of Serbia and representatives of northern municipalities.

Explosion in northern Kosovo (Koha Ditore)

Belgrade-based Blic daily newspaper reported that two incidents occurred in northern Kosovo on Monday evening. Firearms were used in the incidents but there are no injuries. Around 19:30 hrs a powerful explosion was recorded near the Bërnjak border crossing. Citing sources from northern Kosovo, Blic reported that the explosion seems to have been caused by a rocket-propelled grenade. Shortly after the explosion, at 20:00 hrs, unknown persons tried to place an Albanian flag in front of the Serbian Government’s office for Kosovo in Bosnjacka Mahalla. KiM radio station reported that security staff of the office went out to talk to the persons but one of them fired shots from his gun and they fled.

KFOR: Responsibility on Serbs (Express)

KFOR representatives met on Monday with the representatives of the Serb community in the north of Kosovo, Krstimir Pantic and Dragisa Milovic. It is reported that the meeting was held to discuss the recent developments at Kroi i Vitakut, where a few days ago Albanian workers were impeded by local Serbs while building the houses for return of Albanians in the north. A press release issued by KFOR, says that they held responsible Serb representatives for the recent incidents. “KFOR has warned the representatives of the community to restrain from any act that could be interpreted as raise of tensions and obstacle to the progress. KFOR also informed them that there are four organizations in Kosovo that are allowed to carry arms: KFOR, EULEX, PK and KSF,” says the press release.

Rexhepi happy Velijaj “cleared” him from passports affair (Koha Ditore)

Minister Bajram Rexhepi, did not hide his happiness on Monday that Natali Velijaj did not include him in the passports affair, clearing thus his name. Rexhepi stated that he has supported investigating bodies to illuminate this case and to send in front of the justice all those who were involved on the abuse of €1.4 million. “Honestly, I am pleased because some people do not know me very well,  that she (Natali Veijaj) stated that the Minister was not aware and that he was not involved,” stated Rexhepi at a press conference of the Police, where they presented two police actions that caught a certain amount of narcotics and arrested two individuals suspected to steal from citizens’ bank accounts.