UNMIK Headlines 5 December
Jacobson: Dialogue only way forward (Koha Ditore)
In a front-page report, U.S. Ambassador Tracy Ann Jacobson was quoted saying that the United States of America will continue to support Kosovo, including important processes that Kosovo is undergoing, especially the dialogue with Serbia. In an exclusive interview for the paper, Jacobson highlighted many areas in which America is aiding Kosovo’s progress and where more work is needed.
Jacobson said the dialogue with Serbia is the only way toward the normalization of relations between both Kosovo and Serbia, a precondition for membership and the path toward European integration. Jacobson insisted that talks with Belgrade have nothing to do with Kosovo’s territorial integrity or status.
Jacobson added that the complicated situation in the north can be resolved through the current provisions of the Constitution of Kosovo, and a few additional elements must be considered.
Thaçi: I will soon appoint Kosovo’s ambassador to Belgrade (dailies)
All dailies cover the third round of dialogue between Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and his Serbian counterpart, Ivica Dacic, in Brussels yesterday. Koha Ditore notes that following their longest meeting to date, Thaçi and Dacic claimed they agreed on two important issues: to begin implementing the agreement on integrated border management (IBM) on 10 December and immediately establishing liaison offices. Commenting on Thaçi’s statement about state borders and diplomatic offices, Dacic said the remarks are focused on internal consumption. Thaçi said he would soon appoint the best ambassador to represent Kosovo in Belgrade.
Thaçi without regret, wants tappers investigated (Koha Ditore)
Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi confirmed on Tuesday that his voice was recorded in the audio material, where he is heard insulting his political colleagues. Thaçi wrote a letter to Baroness Catherine Ashton and EU Civil Operations commander Hansjorg Haber, expressing his concern over distributing the recordings.
Thaçi did not express regret over the conversations, but called for investigations on EULEX officials that performed what he called illegal tapping. “We want to believe that this mistake by EULEX staff was accidental and a result of negligence and lack of professionalism by people involved in this process, and we hope that EULEX will take the necessary measures against individuals involved in this process,” Thaçi wrote in his letter.
Fitou: EULEX tapped according to law (Koha Ditore)
According to French Ambassador in Kosovo Jean Francois Fitou, the tapped conversations between the Prime Minister and other PDK officials were legal and the “Pronto affair” should be treated according to applicable laws. “It is important for the Government, citizens, and media to understand whether EULEX acted lawfully; EULEX says that it acted according to the law and this is what we know,” Fitou said, adding that parties should decide about an eventual new ruling coalition.
Rexhepi: We have been tapped for 13 years (dailies)
Kosovo Interior Affairs Minister Bajram Rexhepi said yesterday that senior Kosovo officials were tapped by international missions and foreign intelligence services in Kosovo for the past 13 years.
“Since the time I served as Prime Minister, the majority of senior state officials were tapped by UNMIK; now by EULEX and even by foreign intelligence services that wanted to keep the situation in Kosovo under control,” Rexhepi said during a briefing at the parliamentary committee for internal affairs and security.
Rexhepi also recalled that a sensitive case of tapping occurred on 25 July when Kosovo Police sought to regain control over border crossings in Jarinje and Bërnjak.
Haliti: Goal of tapping, division of PDK (Epoka e Re)
Regarding the recent tapping of senior state and party officials, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Xhavit Haliti said that it was illegal and aimed at dividing the PDK. Being one of the most influential members of the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Haliti said he does not support what was communicated in the recordings, but noted that it was a conversation between friends.
In an interview for Rrokum TV station, Haliti said publishing the recordings in any European country would be considered a privacy violation and those responsible would be held accountable. Haliti added that this is not the kind of affair that government officials would have to resign over.
EULEX investigating if published recordings criminal act (Koha Ditore)
In a press release issued by EU mission for the rule of law on Monday, a statement was offered in connection with the tapping issue: “The EULEX Prosecutor from the SPRK has raised charges in the case of the Ministry of Transport Post and Telecommunications on 16 November. Together with the charge, all evidence gathered has been handed over, as requested by the law. The court and the defense lawyers of the defendants received one copy of this material. The evidence included the telephone tappings and the audio recordings, which were published.”
According to the Prosecution, the prosecutor was not responsible for publishing the tappings and audio recordings, which were carried out according to a court order. Kosovo’s Prosecution Office is investigating this issue to determine whether a criminal act was committed by those who revealed the information for the public.
PDK-AAK coalition in January (Zëri)
The coalition between both political forces that emerged from the KLA - PDK and AAK - will be officialized in January 2013. However, the only thing that remains to be agreed upon by the leaders of the two parties, Hashim Thaçi and Ramush Haradinaj, is how “to split the cake”.
Haradinaj: Ready for Prime Minister post (Koha Ditore)
Citing a Reuters report, Koha Ditore notes that Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), announced the possibility of starting talks with Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi to include AAK in the ruling coalition. “My goal is to assume the main responsibility for the country, to assume the responsibility of government, the possibility to work more, and change the current situation,” he added.
Haradinaj also said that he is ready to meet with Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic as part of the ongoing process of political talks with Serbia. “Starting on that day, I will assume all responsibilities of the executive government,” Haradinaj said.
Rasmussen: KFOR not downsized because of north (Koha Ditore)
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that the Alliance fully supports the political process between Kosovo and Serbia supported by the EU and encouraged both parties to do their utmost to find a political solution.
Rasmussen also expressed concern over the fragile situation in northern Kosovo. “The situation in the north remains unsustainable and this is the reason why NATO has postponed their decision for further downsizing of KFOR troops,” he told RFE.
Slovakia supports European Kosovo (Zëri)
Kosovo Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj visited Slovakia and had a working dinner with the country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Miroslav Lajcak. According to a press release issued by Kosovo’s Foreign Ministry, Hoxhaj called on Bratislava’s support to begin negotiations for the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between Kosovo and the EU, and on the visa liberalization process. “Slovakia is a strong supporter of Kosovo’s European integration and commends Kosovo on the progress reached on the path to European integrations,” reads the statement.
OeSD suspends printing Kosovo passports (dailies)
Papers report that the Austrian company OeSD, commissioned by Kosovo authorities to print out biometric passports, suspended its contract. The company cites payment delays from the Kosovo government as the reason why it decided to stop printing passports.