UNMIK Headlines 27 November
Opposition calls for peaceful rally on 28 November (Zeri)
The three opposition parties – Vetevendosje Movement, Alliance for the Future of Kosovo and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) – organized a symbolic action in downtown Pristina on Thursday calling on the people of Kosovo to join a peaceful rally on 28 November against the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities and the border demarcation with Montenegro. The paper quotes Xhevat Bislimi from NISMA as saying that all citizens regardless of their political views will support the opposition’s rally against agreements that are detrimental to Kosovo’s future.
Opposition turns down Deda-Osmani plan (Koha)
The five-point plan presented by LDK MP Vjosa Osmani and Vetevendosje MP Ilir Deda to emerge from the current stalemate is insufficient for the opposition parties, the paper reports on page two. Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) told KTV on Thursday that the objective of the opposition is the annulment of the agreement on the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities and the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. “We don’t take pride in our methods of protest, we don’t like them. But we are forced into taking such actions. Mustafa and Thaci have reached two detrimental agreements and they are forcing their MPs to support them,” Haradinaj said.
Opposition does not withdraw from its demands (Kosova Sot)
Following the announcement that the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, will visit Kosovo in December, there has been speculation in Pristina that his visit could eventually help unblock the political stalemate. However, Vetevendosje spokesman, Frasher Krasniqi, told the paper on Thursday that Kerry’s visit is not necessarily related to the current political situation. “We have to be honest: Serbia’s ‘Zajednica’ [Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities] and the border demarcation with Montenegro, affect the people of Kosovo the most, including the future generations of our country. This is why we will not give in toward anyone or anything when the most import interest, that of the common good of this country is at stake,” Krasniqi said.
Kadaj-Bujupi calls on citizens to protest peacefully on 28 November (Zeri)
The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) MP, Donika Kadaj-Bujupi, who is currently in Lipjan detention center, through an open letter called on citizens to protest in a dignified and peaceful manner and to be insistent for their cause. “Having been denied the right to physically be near the people, I call on everyone to join forces in defense of the state. The power lies in the willingness of each individual and all of us together,” reads the letter.
Ferrarese: Disagreements to be solved through dialogue (Tribuna)
The Italian Ambassador to Kosovo, Andreas Ferrarese, told Tribuna Channel the international community must be careful when commenting on the latest developments in the Kosovo Assembly, in order to have as little as possible impact on the internal dynamics of the Kosovo Assembly. He said that disagreements among the political parties should be resolved through dialogue. According to him, the use of violence as a political tool is unacceptable. Despite the latest developments in Kosovo, Ferrarese said he is convinced that Kosovo will be granted visa liberalization next year.
Kosovo silent over Serbia’s attempt to control its airspace (Koha)
In its front-page story, the paper reports that on Thursday Serbia confirmed it is trying to take over the supervision and management of air control services over the territory of Kosovo. Authorities in Pristina on the other hand are keeping silent on the matter. Citing unnamed sources, the paper reports that Marko Djuric, head of the Serbian Government’s Office for Kosovo, submitted to the EU Council in September a request for Serbia to take control over Kosovo’s airspace. A foreign diplomat close to the meeting in Brussels told the paper Brussels is likely to accept Serbia’s request. “The first result of this objective was reached with the agreement on the full relaxation of the air safety zone,” the diplomat said. The European Union Office in Pristina told the paper on Thursday that control over Kosovo’s airspace is a competency of NATO and that the EU is not involved in the matter.
Jahjaga not interested in Nikolic’s actions (RTK)
The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga stated on Thursday that she is not interested in Nikolic’s actions during the signing of the joint statement of all the Western Balkans countries. “These behaviors and actions do not have any impact on me, because it is not worth of commenting such behavior. Citizens are the ones who assess the behaviors of their representatives, be it in the case of our neighbor, Serbia or in our case, Kosovo. However, it is more important that Kosovo is part of this, and it is participating equally with all the other states. The signing of this joint statement by all the presidents of the countries is the very message that we have sent as an independent state,” Jahjaga said. During Jahjaga’s signing of the agreement in Zagreb, Serbia’s President Tomislav Nikolic, ignored her by turning his back, RTK reports.