Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: Over 1,600 remain forcibly disappeared, many of them children (media)
• Kurti on the missing: In Serbia, there is no will, in Kosovo, close to 3 thousand excavations (RTK)
• Kurti: France, allied country and partner, “we want close cooperation” (Gazeta10)
• Goffus: Uncoordinated actions increase the risk of violence (media)
• Osmani decrees 31 judges, nearly half of them women (media)
• Albanian Defense Minister “friendly and open meeting” with Kurti (media)
• Hovenier: We repeat call to solve missing persons cases (RTK)
• Osmani travels to Prague, represents Kosovo at GLOBSEC (Zeri)
• Kurti meets with head of OSCE, talk about strengthening cooperation (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Vucic: Purchase of French Rafale aircraft is huge for Serbia (N1)
• Vucic, Macron want Serbia and France as AI powers (N1)
• Arsenijevic: Kurti, as if wanting to go to war with someone, because he has nothing to offer to people (N1)
• Office for KiM: Verdict to Zlatkovic proof Pristina continues to oppress and intimidate Serbs (Kosovo Online, media)
• International Day of Disappeared (Radio KIM)
• Hovenier: Institutions and officials to overcome differences and work to resolve missing persons cases (Kosovo Online, social media)

International: 

• ‘It was Wartime’: Kosovo man still waits for word of missing daughter (BIRN)                            

Albanian Language Media  

Osmani: Over 1,600 forcibly disappeared, many of them children (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said today on the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances that “over 1,600 people that still remain forcibly disappeared during the last war in Kosovo, many of them children, continue to be Kosovo’s deepest wound. The goal of Milosevic's genocidal regime was to annihilate and destroy our identity and our future. By denying the truth, Serbia continues to repeat the crime. By keeping archives closed, despite Brussels’ agreement demanding otherwise, Serbia violates the agreements reached. The truth cannot be hidden behind propaganda that Serbia is supposedly pro-peace and pro-EU integration. The truth is one and only: in 2024, Vucic's Serbia still sleeps on mass graves of innocent civilians”.

Kurti on the missing: In Serbia, there is no will, in Kosovo, close to 3 thousand excavations (RTK)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, after the tributes at the memorial dedicated to persons who disappeared violently during the war, said that Serbia has no will for the epilogue of the issue of the missing. "The overwhelming part, close to 94% of those exhumed are in the first months after the overthrow of Milosevic, and then there was no will in Serbia for further excavations. In Kosovo, we have 2800 excavations in 25 years of freedom. Meanwhile, in Serbia there are only these 5 mass graves", he said.

Kurti further requested international attention to change the decision to close the archives of "Brigade 37", which is known as one of the main perpetrators of crimes in Drenica and beyond.

"This year it has been 20 years since Veljko Odalovic, who was Milosevic's main man during the war in Kosovo, is at the head of the Commission for Missing Persons in Serbia. Guess what, the one who should be in the defendant's chair, to have a fair trial and a well-deserved punishment, today leads the commission for missing persons in Serbia. As if that wasn't enough, in 2014, that is, 10 years ago, the archive of the '37th Motorized Brigade' of the Yugoslav Army was classified by decision in Serbia, which will not be opened until 2044. Should we wait for another 20 years for this archive to be opened?", he said.

The Prime Minister mentioned the work being done by the Governmental Commission for Missing Persons in Kosovo, as he said that if the same Serbian institution worked, the process would be easier.

"These days, evaluation excavations are being done in 13 locations in Kosovo. The anxiety of the families is great, their grief is deep, but their stability is high and we owe it to them that with all our knowledge, opportunities and abilities we do everything to clarify the fate of the missing people", he said.

Kurti: France, allied country and partner, “we want close cooperation” (Gazeta10)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said today that Kosovo considers France a friendly country, an ally and a very important partner in the European Union and NATO. Asked to comment on Serbia purchasing fighter jets from France and French President Macron’s criticism for unilateral actions by the government in the north of Kosovo, Kurti said: “We enforce the rule of law, public order and at the same time peace and security for all citizens. In this respect, we want close cooperation and international backing, certainly from France too which we consider a friendly country, an ally and a very important partner in the European Union and NATO”.

Goffus: Uncoordinated actions increase the risk of violence (media)

NATO Assistant Secretary General for Operations, Thomas Goffus, in an interview with RTK on Thursday, said that uncoordinated actions, especially in the north of Kosovo, can increase the risk of violence which threatens the security of all people in Kosovo and endangers KFOR troops. 

“Last year we stepped up the number of troops in Kosovo in order to address an unfortunately challenging security environment and the reemergence of tensions. This shows once again the swift commitment of NATO allies and partners to safeguard security in Kosovo and in the Balkans in general,” he said.

Goffus said that the increase of military troops, necessary for the time being, is not the solution for long-term peace in Kosovo, and that a political solution is needed. 

“It is essential for Pristina and Belgrade to engage constructively in the EU-facilitated dialogue to resolve outstanding issues. We continue to call on all parties to implement the reached agreements without delay,” he argued

Goffus also said that KFOR troops are working to keep the situation calm and implementing their UN mandate. “I have said this to everyone I have met, that it is important to have coordination with NATO on a number of issues, including the Iber bridge,” he added.

Osmani decrees 31 judges, nearly half of them women (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, following a proposal by the Judicial Council of Kosovo, decreed on Thursday 31 judges with an initial mandate, nearly half of them women. A press release issued by Osmani’s office notes that “the new judges swore that they will remain loyal to the Constitution … the laws in force and will respect the rules of professional ethics, as well as faithfully perform their duties in an independent, professional and impartial manner”. Osmani said that “the integrity, independence, impartiality and professionalism of judges are essential elements for a justice system that guarantees equality for all and ensures civic trust”.

Albanian Defense Minister “friendly and open meeting” with Kurti (media)

Albania’s Minister of Defence, Pirro Vengu, met during his stay in Kosovo today with Prime Minister Albin Kurti in what he described as “a very open and friendly meeting”. “In Kosovo today to talk about the bridges that link us and the ones we must add on our joint path. At a very open and friendly meeting with Prime Minister Albin Kurti we emphasized strengthening cooperation in the area of defense, regional stability and necessary coordination with our allies to consolidate Kosovo’s international subjectivity. Joint investments in means and human resources contribute to collective security,” he wrote in an Instagram post.

Hovenier: We repeat call to solve missing persons cases (RTK)

The U.S. ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, on the International Day of Missing Persons, has said that they repeat the call to overcome disagreements and work together to find out their fate. "We repeat our call to institutions and officials to overcome their differences and work together to solve the cases of missing persons", he wrote in X.

He participated in the tribute ceremony at the memorial dedicated to persons who disappeared violently during the war. Hovenier wrote that they were there to honor families still waiting for news of their loved ones.

Osmani travels to Prague, represents Kosovo at GLOBSEC (Zeri)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, has traveled to Prague, Czech Republic, to participate in the global security forum, "GLOBSEC 2024".

The Presidency has announced that Osmani will be among the global leaders who will gather in Prague in order to discuss various geopolitical challenges and the importance of cooperation in overcoming them."President Osmani will address the international audience in a discussion on the perspective of Kosovo in relation to geopolitical developments, while she will also hold other bilateral meetings", the announcement states.

Kurti Meets with head of OSCE, talk about strengthening cooperation (Reporteri)

Kosovo Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, received the head of the OSCE in Kosovo, Michael Davenport.

A press release issued by the Office of the Prime Minister, informs that during the meeting they talked about the strengthening of cooperation, in initiatives of common interest.

"The Government of the Republic of Kosovo and the relevant institutions work closely with the OSCE Office in Kosovo, where we have a mutual goal of strengthening democratic institutions, the rule of law and respecting the rights of all citizens of Kosovo without distinction, in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of our country", the communique says.

Serbian Language Media 

Vucic: Purchase of French Rafale aircraft is huge for Serbia (N1)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said the purchase of French Rafale combat aircraft is a huge thing for Serbia, N1 reported.

Speaking at a news conference with French President Emanuel Macron Vucic said that the contract to buy the fighters is worth 2.7 billion Euro. “The contract was signed with a full logistics package including spare engines and everything else… Twelve new aircraft to be owned by the Republic of Serbia”, he said.

According to Vucic the Rafale fighters will mean a significant boost to the operational capabilities of the Serbian military. “A completely different approach and we are happy to become part of the Rafale club”, Vucic said.

Speaking about some of the other documents signed by the Serbian and French delegations, Vucic said some of them cover key issues on potential cooperation in developing a nuclear program. He said that he asked Macron for that because Serbia won’t have enough electricity in 10 years unless it uses nuclear power. “France gets 70 percent of its power from nuclear reactor, nuclear programs. This is clean energy and that is the only way to secure enough energy for us”, Vucic added.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/mBfjW  

Vucic, Macron want Serbia and France as AI powers (N1)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his French counterpart Emanuel Macron said on Friday that they want to see their countries as powers in the AI field.  Speaking in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad, Macron said that Europeans have an important role to play in terms of AI despite the fact that the US and China are investing more in the field.

“If we want Europe, which means Serbia and France, to be powers in AI, everything has to be based on science”, Macron said. Vucic said that Serbia as chair of the Global AI Initiative will try to bring fresh investments. He added that a 5G network, which Serbia does not have, will be tackled in the coming weeks.

Arsenijevic: Kurti, as if wanting to go to war with someone, because he has nothing to offer to people (N1)

Commenting on the statement of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti that the opening of the Ibar River bridge will mean freedom of movement, leader of the Serbian Democracy Aleksandar Arsenijevic told N1 that "if the bridge opens, we are moving out". As he added, security in northern Kosovo, especially in Mitrovica North, has never been worse.

"Does Kurti think we will believe that our security will be guarded by (Kosovo) special forces who also come with nationalist exclamations to the North? No, I expect them to give those extremists a rifle rather than protect us", Arsenijevic told N1 Studio Live show. He thinks that Kuti's statement about freedom of movement on the bridge is "a nonsense", because there is already movement on that bridge circulating.

"Who guarantees us that in five days this promenade will not be dug up and a traffic road built? If that happens, absolutely all of us can go to the villages around, to move from our city center where we have been walking, living and enjoying all our lives. That's the security aspect. Until the legitimate authorities come (to power) in Mitrovica North, there is nothing for the bridge opening", Arsenijevic said.

As the leading problem he noted that "the baton is controlled from Pristina". "We had an opportunity before to see how they make decisions unanimously at one minute to twelve. So, the repression on (municipal) councilors themselves is great by the central institutions", he pointed out. He added that Kurti seems as if wanting to go to war with someone, because he has nothing to offer the people of Kosovo.

"He has to conduct his politics in that way in order to stay in power. Maybe even go to war. When he sees that the Serbs will not respond to his provocation and that he cannot go to war with the Serbs, there is a high probability that in the folly of this policy he will go to war with KFOR which is located on the bridge. I believe that as long as KFOR is firm in their statements and intentions the bridge, except by use of force and armed confrontation with KFOR, will not open", he said.

He added the opening of the Kosovo Post office in Mitrovica North was a political marketing trick.

"It cannot reach 20 per cent capacity of the services that the Serbian Post provides to our citizens, because usually postal traffic is directed towards central Serbia, towards Kosovo (from central Serbia) and our end users. So, this is more of a marketing political trick and making the life of Serbs difficult, with the very closure of the Serbian post offices", he added.

Office for KiM: Verdict to Zlatkovic proof Pristina continues to oppress and intimidate Serbs (Kosovo Online, media)

After Sasa Zlatkovic from Belgrade, arrested at Merdare crossing point on July 22 while on his way to attend ceremony commemorating 25^th anniversary of the murder of 14 Serb harvesters in Staro Gracko village, was sentenced to five months in prison, Office for Kosovo and Metohija said this decision is a proof Kosovo judiciary has one goal only – to oppress and intimidates Serbs, Kosovo Online portal reported.

The Office recalled Zlatkovic was arrested because of verbal delict while on his way to attend commemoration in Staro Gracko. “The Court in Pristina would of course not punish the perpetrators of this massacre, but would persecute all those who dare to recall that separatist idea in Kosovo and Metohija has been and remains until date in its very essence a terrorist and criminal {….}”, reads the statement.

The Office added Pristina has had the same ruling ideology for the two and a half decades - "the obliteration of the Serbian people".

"Political and judicial structures in Pristina are the core of the criminal structure headed by Albin Kurti, and anyone pretending that some kind of regular democratic institutions are operating in Kosovo and Metohija is denying the obvious and painful truth - that in Pristina the extermination of the Serbian people has been a ruling ideology for two and half decades already", the statement added.

International Day of Disappeared (Radio KIM)

International Day of the Disappeared is commemorated today, August 30. There are still 1.612 persons of Albanian, Serbian and other ethnicities, who went missing before, during and after the end of the conflict in Kosovo, still being looked for, Radio KIM reports.

At 11.00 hrs in Gracanica, at the plateau in front of the municipality, representatives of Association of Kidnapped and Missing Persons would organize a gathering.

In front of Kosovo Assembly in Pristina, near the monument dedicated to missing persons, representatives of the Prime Minister’s Office, Government Commission for Missing Persons in cooperation with Coordination Council of Missing Persons Families’ Associations will pay the tribute at 10.00 hrs.

A street performance would take place this evening at 18.00 at the main Pristina’s square “The Doors of Waiting” supported by Youth Initiative for Human Rights. 

Radio KIM also reported that Serbs and Albanians separately marked this day, one in Gracanica and the other one in Pristina.

Addressing the gathering in Gracanica, Silvana Markovic, the coordinator of the Association of Families of Kidnapped and Missing Serbs said that “our uncertainty, sadness, pain, suffering and above all injustice has been going on for 25 years. We gather all these years at the same place, on the same occasion, to mark the International Day of Kidnapped and Missing Persons. Every year with the hope that our messages will bear fruit, but we are still at the beginning, the same pain of uncertainty, the same pain of injustice. Addressing the competent institutions to resolve the issue of the kidnapped, we received promises and false hope. Years pass, and we with our pain, sadness and uncertainty are at the beginning of the journey. Let those kidnapped be found, and the perpetrators of those crimes brought to justice”.

They underlined once again one of the problems is identification of mortal remains. In the morgue in Pristina there are mortal remains of 300 persons waiting for DNA tests.

Negovan Mavric from Missing Persons Resource Centre said they will not give up on searching for their beloved ones and exerting pressure on institutions.

"We are asking them to open an archive here in Kosovo, they are asking, and we are also asking. We demand that perpetrators and burial places be found, in Kosovo and Serbia, wherever they are. Is it Albania, wherever they are, we want them to be found. There are no private or official archives for us, all archives must be opened. If we want to achieve the goal we are fighting for", he said.

Hovenier: Institutions and officials to overcome differences and work to resolve missing persons cases (Kosovo Online, social media)

US Ambassador in Pristina, Jeff Hovenier called upon institutions and officials to overcome their differences and work together to resolve the missing persons cases, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“On this International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, I joined PM Kurti and diplomatic corps colleagues to pay respects to the grieving Kosovan families waiting for news of their missing loved ones. We reiterate our call for institutions and officials to overcome their differences and work together to resolve missing persons cases”, Hoveiner wrote in a post on X social platform. 

International 

‘It was Wartime’: Kosovo man still waits for word of missing daughter (BIRN)

As the International Day of the Disappeared is marked, mystery still surrounds the fate of Rrushe Kololli, who was 19 years old and pregnant when she and her mother disappeared in 1998 at the hands of Kosovo Albanian guerrillas.

On a hot July morning, Tahir Kololli was watching the news when Kosovo’s chief negotiator with Serbia, Besnik Bislimi, appeared on the screen meeting relatives of Kosovo Albanians still missing from the 1998-99 Kosovo war.

Finding them is a government priority, Bislimi said, but 84-year-old Kololli had heard it all before. Twenty-six years had passed since his daughter, Rrushe, had disappeared after she and her mother, Kolloli’s wife Latife, were detained by Kosovo Albanian guerrillas. Rrushe was 19 years-old and pregnant.

“I live to hear that she has been found before I die,” Kolloli said in the home he shares with two other daughters and a son in the village of Budakove/Budakovo, part of Kosovo’s southern Suhareka/Suva Reka municipality.

In wartime, rumour can be as dangerous as fact, and the fate of Rrushe remains shrouded in mystery and conjecture.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/bFZcS