UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 6, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani in Spain: Kosovo needs security guarantees (Klan)

Osmani meets Macron, Scholz and Mitsotakis (media)

Svecla: “Some 90 terrorists were in Banjska; they also had Italian KFOR uniforms” (media)

Bislimi in Brussels: Things cannot be same after September 24 events (RFE)

Haxhiu: Radoicic will be on the INTERPOL list wanted by Kosovo (Dukagjini)

Hoxhaj: Lajcak and Borrell went missing after Sept 24; they are not credible (KTV)

Rama in Spain: I don’t change position on Serbia; we did our best for Kosovo (AP)

Serbian Language Media:

- There will be more important talks in Granada, he did not talk to Osmani, said Vucic (NMagazin, media)

Vucic: I thanked Spain for its understanding for our positions on Kosovo (Tanjug)

Ministry of Defense of Serbia: Hill and Giaufret visited part of the Army units in the wider area of Novi Pazar (N1, KoSSev, NMagazin)

Ristuccia: KFOR prevented the situation in Banjska from escalating into an even more serious one (Kosovo Online)

Slovenian PM: Solution for Kosovo – Legitimate Elections, Then Community of Serb Municipalities (Beta)

Hovenier: The issue of responsibility does not end with Radoicic’s statement, his actions do not necessarily discredit SL (KoSSev)

Information campaign about visa liberalization, but only in the Albanian language (KoSSev, KiM radio)

International Media:

Kosovo Leader Calls on Spain to Back EU Measures Against Serbia (Reuters)

NATO Mission in Kosovo Rejects Calls to Police Tense North (BIRN)

Sarajevo Looking Into Allegations Guns Used In Kosovo Attack Came From Bosnian City (RFE)

Kosovo Bans Serbia Sport TV Channels Over Messages ‘Glorifying’ Banjska Attack (BIRN)

Shambles in Granada: Mega-gathering of European leaders ends with a whimper (politico.eu)

Albanian Language Media

Osmani in Spain: Kosovo needs security guarantees (Klan)

Kosovo Presidet Vjosa Osmani said on Thursday after the third summit of the European Political Community that “Kosovo needs security guarantees in order to stop another act of aggression from Serbia”. “I had the opportunity in these meetings to inform in detail about Serbia’s latest aggression against Kosovo. As you know on September 24 Serbia carried out an act of aggression through terrorist groups against Kosovo … This time, the Kosovo Police managed to prevent the full execution of the plan. It was a Krimea-style plan for the annexation of the north of Kosovo and as it was happening Serbia was building up its army at the border with Kosovo at a rate that we haven’t seen in the last 24 years,” she said.

Osmani said the purpose of her attending the summit had mainly to do with discussions with partners on how to prevent such incidents in the future. “Kosovo needs security guarantees. We need the support of our partners to protect the border between Kosovo and Serbia so that they cannot smuggle weapons as they have done in the past. We also need [Serbian President Aleksandar] Vucic to learn his lesson. If there are no harsh measures and sanctions against Serbia for organizing this aggression, unfortunately it will be emboldened to do this again and again,” Osmani argued.

See Osmani’s full press statement at: https://shorturl.at/KSY89

Osmani meets Macron, Scholz and Mitsotakis (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said in a post on X on Thursday that she had an important discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron “on recent security developments in Kosovo and our shared commitment for enduring peace & stability”. “Stressed the importance of holding Serbia accountable for its act of aggression against our Republic,” Osmani said.

Osmani also met with German Chancellor Scholz and Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis informing them on “Serbia's terrorist attack and act of aggression against Kosovo”. “Stressed the necessity to hold Serbia accountable for its efforts to destabilize our country and the entire region,” she said.

Svecla: “Some 90 terrorists were in Banjska; they also had Italian KFOR uniforms” (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Interior Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, said in an interview with Syri TV that around “90 terrorists took part in the attack in Banjska near Zvecan” and that their objective was to create a corridor between Serbia and the two northern municipalities of Mitrovica North and Zvecan. He said that the security situation in the north is currently quiet, but that it remains tense.

“Now we have a lot of information revealing Serbia’s scenario on September 24. There were around 90 terrorists that entered with heavy weapons into the Republic of Kosovo and they planned to create a corridor between Serbia and the municipalities of Mitrovica North and Zvecan … This plan included an exceptionally dangerous element. Some of their vehicles, around 30 that were in Kosovo, had KFOR stickers. They also had Italian KFOR uniforms and around 23-24 weapons with silencers. They were ready to mask as KFOR troops and execute Kosovo police officers, in which case tensions would rise to the point where no one would know who is shooting whom. They also had a large number of uniforms, equipment and weapons, a way larger number than the number of troops. This is an indication that they were prepared to give some of the weapons and uniforms to people who were already in Kosovo. Their numbers would double or even triple,” he said.

Svecla said that it is KFOR’s responsibility to monitor the border between Kosovo and Serbia. “According to the Kumanovo agreement, the Kosovo Police cannot get closer than 1 kilometers to this line. It is difficult for the Kosovo Police. We too think that the increase in the number of KFOR troops at the border with Serbia would be welcome,” he argued.

According to Svecla there is no doubt that Serbia was involved in the attack in Banjska and that the armed group had been trained in Serbia. He did not rule out the possibility of another similar scenario.

Svecla claimed that Kosovo’s authorities have evidence about Russia’s influence in the group that carried out the attack. “We have seized Russian documents. We suspect the direct involvement of individuals from Russia. According to the prisoners, some of the people never talked and wore masks. It is possible that there were members of Wagner there,” he said.

Bislimi in Brussels: Things cannot be same after September 24 events (RFE)

Kosovo’s Principal Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi said in Brussels on Thursday that after the attack on Kosovo Police in the north on September 24 things cannot be the same in the EU-facilitated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. Bislimi said that “first measures against Kosovo must be lifted and Serbia must not be allowed to carry out another aggression against Kosovo”.

Bislimi also argued that “the attack in Banjska was clearly designed, enabled and supported by Belgrade”.

Haxhiu: Radoicic will be on the INTERPOL list wanted by Kosovo (Dukagjini)

Kosovo’s Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, said in an interview with TV Dukagjini on Thursday that Milan Radoicic, the former deputy leader of the Serbian List who organized and led the attack in Banjska on September 24, will be on the INTEPROL list wanted by Kosovo but that first certain procedures must be followed. “Because of the sensitivity of the case, I cannot disclose more information, but I can say that the process will be addressed according to responsibilities and that it is being treated very seriously,” she said.

Haxhiu said that the objective of the September 24 was the annexation of the north of Kosovo. She denied allegations that there was an agreement to allow the armed group to leave the Banjska monastery. “Whoever says there was an agreement tries to diminish the work of Kosovo Police and the Kosovo government. There was no agreement and there will never be an agreement with terrorist groups or with the government of Serbia to give amnesty to terrorists,” she said.

Hoxhaj: Lajcak and Borrell went missing after Sept 24; they are not credible (KTV)

MP from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Enver Hoxhaj said on Thursday that “EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak and EU High Representative Josep Borrell went missing from the public sphere after the September 24 events”.

According to Hoxhaj, Lajcak and Borrell no longer have credibility for the process of dialogue and that Kosovo needs to meet with U.S. representatives. “They [Borrell and Lajcak] should have initiated sanctions without the approval of the member states. They prove that they are not credible. Kosovo needs to be firm not only in terms of its demands toward Serbia to surrender the criminals, but also to sit and discuss with our American partners,” he argued.

Hoxhaj further said that “the Albanian-Serbian conflict can be resolved only when Serbia recognizes Kosovo’s statehood and sovereignty”.

He said that the September 24 attacks should serve as an alarm bell for the Kosovo government, the opposition and international partners that “the issue of relations between Kosovo and Serbia cannot be resolved without Serbia recognizing Kosovo’s territorial sovereignty”. “After September 24, there is a golden opportunity for the Kosovo government to say that the events in the north have shown that the dialogue has been overcome,” he added.

Rama in Spain: I don’t change position on Serbia; we did our best for Kosovo (AP)

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama told reporters in Granada, Spain, on Thursday that there are yet no concrete discussions with EU leaders about what happened in Banjska on September 24 but that he will do his best for Kosovo. “We did not have a specific discussion about it, but I will certainly keep doing my job. I continue to stand by my convictions because they are not spontaneous but rather come from a strategic vision about the role of Albania in the region and in relation with Kosovo. Albania has done more than ever for Kosovo,” he said.

Serbian Language Media

There will be more important talks in Granada, he did not talk to Osmani, said Vucic (NMagazin, media)

The President of Serbia, Aleksandara Vucic said last night today in Granada, Spain, that he talked "with everyone on all topics" on the sidelines of that meeting and that he was awaiting more important talks with the High Representative of the EU, Joseph Borrell, the French President Emmanuel Macron, and other European officials.

"Tomorrow is the session of the European Council where Kosovo and Metohija are included as one topic, and it is likely that they will discuss that topic," Vucic told reporters in Granada, adding that after eleven the same night he might be able to present better conclusions about the outcome of his talks today.

Vucic had several talks with EU officials, including the prime ministers of Hungary, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, and others.

In response to a journalist's question as to whether Serbia intends to attack Kosovo, he replied that it does not, and that Serbia has never had such an intention or intention to attack anyone else in the region. "The real question is whether you support the UN charter and the UN resolution that are still in force, if you do, we are all talking about Ukraine, then what about Serbia and why are you not supporting the UN resolutions in force and the UN charter that is in force. That is a political issue for the people of Serbia, it bothers us, we are a country that will keep peace, I am convinced of that," said Vucic.

Vucic pointed out that Serbia has reduced the level of military presence on the administrative line with Kosovo from 8,500 to 4,400 soldiers and that today EU and US representatives went on a tour of that area with representatives of Serbia to confirm this.

"Today, our people went together with European and American representatives to confirm that. But what we need is a real solution based on reality and a real will to move forward in the negotiation process and reach a compromise solution, not something that someone may have dreamed of giving nothing to the other side," he said.

He pointed out that the last time when the Serbian army was on high alert a year ago, there were about 14,000 soldiers near the administrative line, and that now, when there was a crisis, there were 8,500, which, he added, was significantly less than then and that even if Serbia wanted to do something, which was not the case, it would not be able to with such numbers. "We are not interested in that, we are interested in progressing on our way", he said and emphasized that in the last three years Serbia has attracted 63 percent of total foreign direct investments for the Western Balkans and that he wants someone to continue. He said that he did not speak with the representatives of Kosovo in Granada and that they will not speak either, adding that "it is not always easy and pleasant" but that he must fight for his country with all his might and that he hopes to succeed. Asked about the statement of the German ambassador in Pristina, Jorn Rohde, who stated that September 24 was "an attack on the territorial integrity of Kosovo", Vucic assessed it as hypocritical. "When you say that you are attacking the territorial integrity of someone who is not part of the UN, and at the same time you destroy the territorial integrity of a country recognized by the UN Charter and with the still valid Resolution 1244, then that is a bit hypocritical," said Vucic, adding that it speaks of "double rules that apply to Serbia", but that this is something that Serbia is used to.

"It is our duty to talk to everyone, to try to explain the position of our country and that is what we will continue to do," he said.

Asked to comment on the statement of the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, who called Serbia an aggressor and demanded that sanctions be imposed on it, Vucic said that official Belgrade was not competing whether something bad will happen to Pristina or someone else, and that it was not advocating sanctions against Kosovo.

"You have never heard from us that we are advocating for sanctions against them, we are not interested in that. We are interested in the fact that we have a normal life, that the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija have a normal life. Some people simply, their whole life and politics based against Serbia and what will be done against Serbia. And then what, I will have fewer political meetings? Stories for small children," said Vucic.

Vucic: I thanked Spain for its understanding for our positions on Kosovo (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit in Granada on Thursday.

"I reiterated my gratitude to Spain for its understanding for Serbia's positions on the Kosovo-Metohija issue and for its consistent support to our territorial integrity," Vucic wrote in a post on his buducnostsrbijeav Instagram account.

Vucic also spoke with Hungarian PM Viktor Orban and North Macedonian PM Dimitar Kovacevski.

"A brief encounter with friends Viktor Orban and Dimitar Kovacevski before the start of the EU2023ES summit, at which numerous significant topics for today's Europe and, hopefully, the Western Balkans as well, will be discussed," Vucic wrote in a separate Instagram post.

He also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reported Tanjug.

Ministry of Defense of Serbia: Hill and Giaufret visited part of the Army units in the wider area of Novi Pazar (N1, KoSSev, NMagazin)

The Ministry of Defense of Serbia announced this evening that the US Ambassador Christopher Hill and the head of the EU delegation in Belgrade, Emanuele Giaufret, yesterday "were the guests of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Milos Vucevic and the Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, General Milan Mojsilovic, during a short visit to some units of the Serbian Armed Forces in the wider Novi Pazar region", reported N1 last night.

During the visit, they "had the opportunity to make sure that the units of the Serbian Army in that area are only carrying out their regular tasks," the announcement read.

"We emphasize that on that occasion none of the foreign citizens were transported by helicopter of the Serbian Armed Forces," the Ministry's statement reads regarding earlier unofficial allegations that the US ambassador arrived in Novi Pazar by helicopter with Minister Vucevic.

Ristuccia: KFOR prevented the situation in Banjska from escalating into an even more serious one (Kosovo Online)

The presence of KFOR troops in Banjska prevented the events from escalating into an even more serious situation, outgoing KFOR commander Angelo Michele Ristuccia emphasized in an interview for Kosovo Online portal, saying that he was in regular contact with all relevant colleagues, including EULEX, representatives of Kosovo institutions and Kosovo security organization, as well as with the Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces.

Ristuccia will be replaced at the head of KFOR by the Turkish general Ozkan Ulutash, the handover of duties is scheduled for October 10, and the still current commander of KFOR emphasizes that Belgrade and Pristina must return to dialogue.

When asked whether KFOR could have done more in Banjska and whether similar events could be repeated in the future, as well as whether KFOR participates in the investigations of events in Banjska, Ristuccia said:

"After the attack on the Kosovo Police in Banjska, the Kosovo Police intervened as the first responders, reacting in accordance with their law enforcement responsibilities. The presence of KFOR troops in the area stopped the events from escalating into a more serious situation. I was in regular contact with all my relevant colleagues, including EULEX, representatives of Kosovo institutions and Kosovo security organizations, as well as with the Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Army".

How do you comment on Belgrade's request that KFOR take over security in the north?

KFOR remains fully committed to implementing its mandate, impartially, based on UNSCR 1244 of 1999, in order to maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo. KFOR does not conduct law enforcement activities, which is the exclusive prerogative of the Kosovo Police, which acts as a first responder. These activities are monitored by the European Union Mission for the Rule of Law (EULEX), as the second responsible. KFOR is the third responder. In light of recent events, KFOR has increased its presence and activities in the north of Kosovo. We continue to appeal to Belgrade and Pristina to engage in EU-mediated dialogue as the only way to resolve open issues and find solutions that respect the rights of all communities. This is crucial for long-term security in Kosovo and stability in the region

Do you expect the number of KFOR soldiers to increase in the coming period?

In response to the tensions at the end of May, we deployed around 500 Turkish soldiers in June. The Turkish battalion was replaced by troops from Bulgaria and Greece. In light of recent events in September, KFOR has increased its presence and activities in northern Kosovo, and the North Atlantic Council has authorized the deployment of additional forces to address the situation. Troops were withdrawn from NATO's strategic reserve for the Western Balkans. The UK is deploying additional troops and further reinforcements from other allies, including Romania, will soon follow. These are prudent steps to ensure that KFOR has the strength, capabilities and flexibility necessary to impartially fulfill its UN mandate to maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all people living in Kosovo.

You have repeatedly emphasized that the situation in Kosovo can only be resolved through political dialogue. Do you still believe that?

Absolutely. Only a political solution can bring lasting peace and stability to the region. That is why, as I said, NATO and KFOR continue to fully support the EU-mediated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, for the benefit of all communities and future generations.

If KFOR had not been present in Zvecan, would there have been bloodshed between the Kosovo Police and the Serbs?

On May 29, 2023, KFOR was present to prevent the escalation of the ongoing protest in Zvecan. KFOR soldiers were subjected to a violent and completely unjustified attack, which resulted in the wounding of 93 KFOR members. Among them were seriously injured Italian and Hungarian colleagues. I thank everyone for their services and wish them a speedy recovery. Thanks to the professionalism shown by our soldiers, it was possible to rescue 15 Kosovo Police officers who were trapped in their cars and surrounded by protesters. Thanks to the actions of our soldiers, we avoided further escalation. Belgrade and Pristina must behave responsibly and with restraint. The violence risks setting the entire region back. That is why KFOR continues to provide the necessary framework for the progress of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina with the mediation of the EU. This is the only way for peace to last for the benefit of all people in Kosovo.

How will you remember your stay in Kosovo?

It was an extremely challenging and demanding period in which KFOR had to act in the context of an ongoing crisis management situation, where multiple events challenged stability, in Kosovo and throughout the region. Every time a crisis broke out, it took a huge military and diplomatic effort to re-establish a more peaceful and balanced situation. A lot of hard work and enormous efforts have been put in, and we have faced many difficulties, due to a number of intertwined factors. My soldiers always acted with the highest professionalism and impartiality. I will take many memories and feelings with me. Among them, the expressions on the faces of the children I met during my school visits. This is a vivid reminder of the importance of our commitment to help create the conditions for peace and prosperity for future generations.

Slovenian PM: Solution for Kosovo – Legitimate Elections, Then Community of Serb Municipalities (Beta)

Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob stated yesterday that, in solving the crisis in Kosovo, new elections for a legitimate authority structure should first be held in the Serb municipalities, and then “seek a solution for the autonomy” of the Serb population.

Golob said this on arriving at the summit of the European Political Community in Granada, stressing that “everyone has to participate in the early elections, including Serbian citizens” and that the events of the recent weeks were deplorable.

“This means that the international community,” he said, “condemns the individuals who verifiably stood behind the escalation and armed clashes, while Slovenia condemns the individuals who have led the events and participated in them.”

To a reporter’s question about whether the EU was considering sanctions against Serbia because of the events, the Slovenian prime minister replied that this had not been discussed and that “one must be cautious, consistent and persistent.” It is important, he stressed, to “establish the culpability of individuals and reduce tension for as long as it is not solved and look for a lasting solution.”

Hovenier: The issue of responsibility does not end with Radoicic’s statement, his actions do not necessarily discredit SL (KoSSev)

What happened in Banjska wasn’t just a spontaneous thing. It’s clear that a group of Serbs was coordinated, they were trained, they brought in sophisticated military-grade weapons, much of which was Serbian origin, and they came to destabilize the north, the US ambassador to Pristina said. Hovenier added that everything suggests that the group was supported by some structure or structures, noting that many things about Banjska remain unknown.

On the other hand, he rejected attempts to blame the entire Kosovo Serb community for the events in Banjska, underlining that the individuals who pulled the trigger and placed explosives are the ones responsible. The ambassador stressed that while the murdered police officer was a victim, so are Serbs from the north who only want to live their lives in conditions of dignity and security. He also called on the Serbs to make peace with the fact that they live in Kosovo.

In a conversation with representatives of several media outlets, including a journalist of the KoSSev portal, Hovenier said that the embassy has some information about the recent events in Banjska, but also that the investigations are ongoing.

“This takes time. This was a complicated circumstance and it will take some time to understand all the specifics,” he said.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/3f5ctrb5

Information campaign about visa liberalization, but only in the Albanian language (KoSSev, KiM radio)

''The information campaign on visa liberalization for citizens of Kosovo started today. In the center of Pristina, a large billboard was placed with information about the necessary documentation for travel to the Schengen countries, but only in the Albanian language, and citizens could also take over flyers, also exclusively in this language,'' reported KoSSev, citing KiM radio.

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, briefly addressed those present on the square in Pristina, who then went to the building of the Government of Kosovo.

Kurti said that visa liberalization was a long delayed process for Kosovo. He also said that citizens must be careful because liberalization has certain rules.

"The visa regime for Kosovo ends on January 1. Although liberalization means free movement, we must be careful because there are some rules. This applies to short-term visits, not for education or work. You have to be careful because violations of the rules can be charged, i.e., lead to fines and Schengen entry bans," Kurti said, speaking only in his native language.

The media were not allowed to ask Kurti questions, so we were left with no answer as to whether this campaign only applies to the majority community in Kosovo and why the law on bilingualism was not respected.

The official of the Government of Kosovo, when asked by the journalists of the newsrooms in Serbian, said that "they did not have time to translate" into another official language, that is, Serbian.

KoSSev and KiM radio reported that those gathered, among whom were some international officials, waited for the arrival of the Kosovo Prime Minister for an hour.

The information campaign on visa liberalization is financed by the German GIZ.

'''Citizens of Kosovo will be able to travel to Schengen countries from January 1 next year, except for Spain, which is one of the EU countries that did not recognize Kosovo, so citizens with a Kosovo passport will still have to obtain visas to travel to this country,'' reported media.

As of January 1, ''citizens of Kosovo will still have to present some other documents besides their passports when entering the Schengen area. Those documents are not too different from those that they had to collect until now to get a visa'', assessed KiM radio.

International Media

Kosovo Leader Calls on Spain to Back EU Measures Against Serbia (Reuters)

Kosovo's president called on Thursday for Spain - the biggest EU state to withhold recognition of Kosovo's independence - to join other countries backing measures to punish Serbia over a deadly gunbattle between Kosovo forces and armed Serbs last month. Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu spoke to reporters at the start of a summit hosted by Spain of the 47-member European Political Community, a body set up to discuss issues on the continent in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. "I do hope Spain will join other, like-minded countries to adopt measures towards Serbia for this horrendous act that it has committed against peace, stability and security," she said. "There is no reason to meet (with Serbia) before sanctions are adopted," she added.