UNMIK Headlines 8 May
- Jack Smith from US confirmed specialist prosecutor (dailies)
- Haradinaj welcomes Berlin’s engagement in dialogue with Serbia (Klan Kosova)
- Veseli: We expect the great news on visas this summer (Epoka)
- Serbian List expected to resume government activities this week (Koha)
- “Political roundtable, destined to fail” (Koha Ditore)
- LDK does not give up on elections (RTK)
- Poll: People of Kosovo not happy with Haradinaj-led government (Kosova Sot)
- One month detention for the war crimes suspect (Epoka)
Kosovo Media Highlights
Jack Smith from US confirmed specialist prosecutor (dailies)
Papers report that the US prosecutor, Jack Smith, has been officially confirmed as the new Specialist Prosecutor. “I am honoured and delighted to have been given this challenge and am looking forward to taking the investigation forward,” Smith said upon appointment. Smith’s appointment was hailed by the President of the Specialist Chambers, Ekaterina Trendafilova, saying in a statement that Smith’s extensive experience in criminal investigation and prosecution will prove instrumental to the fulfillment of the specialist chamber’s mandate. Koha Ditore reports on Smith’s appointment under the following headline: Three chief prosecutors and zero indictment while Kosova Sot writes that Smith is ready to investigate former KLA leaders.
Haradinaj welcomes Berlin’s engagement in dialogue with Serbia (Klan Kosova)
Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, said in an interview to Klan Kosova that he welcomes Berlin’s engagement in the dialogue with Serbia saying this is also supported by the US. “These two energies come to support Brussels and it is good news that we have a mobilization as this level,” Haradinaj said.
Veseli: We expect the great news on visas this summer (Epoka)
The President of the Assembly of Kosovo, Kadri Veseli, met on Monday with representatives of the European People’s Party (EPP), headed by Andrey Kovachev. Veseli informed European MPs about Kosovo’s major progress on reforms, especially on fulfillment of the criteria for visa liberalization. He said Kosovo has already fulfilled the criteria set by the European Commission , and stressed that Kosovo institutions are continuing with their work on reforms which would strengthen further rule of law and have positive impact on economic growth. European Parliament MPs, informed Veseli that that EU will give respective and clear signs on the visa liberalization process, during this summer.
Serbian List expected to resume government activities this week (Koha/Epoka)
The paper quotes sources saying that the Serbian List is expected to take a decision to return to the government of Kosovo this week after it announced it was leaving in sign of protest over the arrest of Serbian government official Marko Djuric by the Kosovo Police. Halil Matoshi from the Kosovo government said they expect the Serbian List to resume activities as soon as possible. “In fact, the Serbian List never entirely cut off relations with the government, namely PM Haradinaj,” Matoshi said. In an interview to Epoka e Re, Matoshi said that there are expectations that this political party will soon reflect on this direction. He denied claims that PM Haradinaj is negotiating with the Serbian List to return to the government under certain conditions.
“Political roundtable, destined to fail” (Koha Ditore)
The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) is hosting the upcoming roundtable of political parties, in the same format as the previous one organised by the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), the paper reports on the front page. And while representatives of major political parties are expected to attend the roundtable, analysts are skeptical at the outcome of such events. Imer Mushkolaj told the paper that discussions between political parties are being used to substitute concrete actions. “The place for debates and decision-making is the Assembly of Kosovo whose work has been paralysed by these parties,” Mushkolaj said.
LDK does not give up on elections (RTK)
Agim Veliu, deputy leader of the c League of Kosovo (LDK) said on Monday after meeting with the representatives of the European People’s Party (EPP) that his party does not intend to give up on requesting new elections, since according to him, the current government is not legitimate. He added that they will try to reach a consensus with the other political parties on resolving major issues for Kosovo, in order to proceed further with free democratic elections. “We have not given up on elections, because elections in such situation of crisis are required and necessary, as this situation cannot be overcome without elections,” Veliu said.
Poll: People of Kosovo not happy with Haradinaj-led government (Kosova Sot)
A recent poll carried out by Gallup International suggests that only 28 percent of people interviewed in Kosovo are happy with their government. The study however said the result could be interpreted as positive as they show that the people of Kosovo have finally sobered up from the sluggishness of independence and now demand changes and concrete developments.
One month detention for the war crimes suspect (Epoka)
The Basic Court in Pristina issued a press communique to inform that it has issued measure of one moth detention for the suspect D.S., who is suspected to have committed war crimes during the armed conflict in Kosovo. Suspect D.S. 44, was arrested during the weekend at Jarinje, border crossing between Kosovo and Serbia. The Court informed that suspect has the right to appeal against this verdict at Kosovo’s Court of Appeals.