UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 11, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti on dialogue with Serbia: We have an agreement that must be implemented (media)
KFOR: Decision to open Iber Bridge must be made in dialogue (Koha)
DoS: Government did not explain how blockade of Serbian goods helped mitigate threats (Koha)
Konjufca: Kosovo has fulfilled criteria to obtain status of EU candidate (Koha)
KFOR: NATO-EU cooperation key for security in Kosovo (Koha)
Kurti visits municipality of North Mitrovica and new businesses there (RTK)
PIK on Arsenijevic's arrest: We have not had any complaints, but we will analyze footage (Klan)
Reactions after the arrest of the Serb Politician Aleksander Arsnijevic (media)
Sinani stopped again at border: Unreasonable stops by border authorities of Serbia (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

KFOR Spokesperson on Ibar River bridge (Kosovo Online, KoSSev, media)
Congresswoman to Blinken: What will the US do to protect Kosovo Serbs’ rights? (Kosovo Online, N1, media)
Lajcak: Vucic raised strong concerns over situation of Serbs in Kosovo (Tanjug)
Amidst protests and arrests, Kurti in Mitrovica North: ‘I haven’t felt that people here dislike Pristina officials’ (KoSSev)
Serbian Democracy leaders detained for several hours amid Kurti’s visit in Mitrovica North (KoSSev, Radio KIM, media, social media)
Serbian Democracy leaders released, Arsenijevic says police repression in place (media)
Peci: Arrest of Arsenijevic because of whistling is a shameful act of Kosovo police (Radio kontakt plus)
Kurti laid foundation stone for two houses for Albanians in Leposavic, more than 200 planned (Kosovo Online)

International:

Hague Court Cuts Jail Time for Kosovo’s ‘Commander Cali’ Again (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti on dialogue with Serbia: We have an agreement that must be implemented (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, during his visit to North Mitrovica, said that there are no details about the announcement of a meeting of the chief negotiators of Kosovo and Serbia within the dialogue for the normalisation of relations. But he said that an agreement already exists and it must be implemented on the ground.

"However, Belgrade does not recognize the agreement it has accepted. Now they have realised that this agreement does not fit the ideology of "Greater Serbia". I think we should respect the Basic Agreement of February last year and implement it", Kurti told reporters in North Mitrovica.

Kurti, after participating in the laying of the foundation stone of the police station in Leshak of Leposaviq, has also spoken to the media about the opening of the Iber Bridge.

"We are ready, with consultations and coordination, we are waiting for QUINT and KFOR, we have done our work, we have made preparations in terms of cleaning the environment around there, as well as the assessment of sustainability in physical and technical terms, It's been a long time since the preliminary report says that the bridge is stable, I believe that the bridge should be opened for vehicles as well because the freedom of movement, the rule of law and the agreement in Brussels require such a thing", Kurti told reporters.

Asked about the 72-hour warning of the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, Kosovo Prime Kurti, told reporters that he does not comment on any news, let alone warnings.

"You know that I don't even like to comment on the news, let alone the warnings", Kurti said.

KFOR: Decision to open Iber Bridge must be made in dialogue (Koha)

The NATO mission in Kosovo, KFOR, on Tuesday through a press release said that the opening of the Iber Bridge should only happen through dialogue and in coordination with the international community.

"On the issue of the possible opening of the Iber river bridge in Mitrovica for vehicles, our position has been transparent and consistent throughout. Any decision in this direction must be made through dialogue and in timely and effective coordination with the international community", says the statement of the KFOR spokesperson.

According to the statement, KFOR will continue to have a permanent presence on the bridge and carry out regular patrols in the surrounding areas while announcing the activities that took place recently on the bridge. "Recently, some training activities were carried out by KFOR personnel on the bridge. These were part of our regular activities designed to test long-term operational procedures and maintain the highest standard of readiness of our troops," the statement continued.

DoS: Government did not explain how blockade of Serbian goods helped mitigate threats (Koha)

In the Report of the U.S. Department of State (DoS), the policies of the government of Kosovo have been qualified as tyrannical and sometimes even challenging for investors. "The economic policies, sometimes tyrannical, of the Government of Kosovo, political interference in the economy and limited public-private dialogue also present challenges for investors. In June 2023, the Government of Kosovo, citing security concerns, banned the entry of final goods of Serbian origin into Kosovo," it is written in the U.S. State Department Report, published in August, which deals with the investment climate in Kosovo.

Disagreements of the international factor with the security measure against goods originating from Serbia have also been expressed through various reports. In that of the American Department of State (DASH), the policies of the Government of Kosovo regarding this issue have been qualified as tyrannical and sometimes even challenging for investors.

It was further emphasised that the government has not provided clarifications on how these measures have helped mitigate security threats. "This ban caused great confusion for importers and negatively affected companies owned by foreign entities in Kosovo, due to disruptions in the supply chain. Despite repeated requests, the Government of Kosovo has not offered any explanation as to how this ban has helped mitigate threats to security," the Report reads.

Konjufca: Kosovo has fulfilled criteria to obtain status of candidate country in EU (Koha)

Kosovo’s Speaker of the Parliament, Glauk Konjufca, met on Tuesday with the new head of the EU Office in Pristina, Aivo Orav. Konjufca has said that Kosovo has met the required criteria to obtain the candidate status in the European Union.

The meeting between Konjufca and Orav, according to the announcement, focused on the discussion of current developments in Kosovo and the region, Kosovo's European agenda and progress in the reform process for European integration.

"President Konjufca, after congratulating him on his new position, informed Ambassador Orav about the work of the VIII Legislature so far, including the adoption of several very important laws related to the European Reforms Agenda, and reiterated the legislature's commitment to the continuation of necessary reforms, underlining that Kosovo has already met the criteria and is awaiting the granting of EU candidate country status. He also thanked Ambassador Orav for the EU's support to Kosovo, especially in the areas of the rule of law , democratisation and strengthening of institutions", it is stated in the announcement of the Assembly.

KFOR: NATO-EU cooperation key for security in Kosovo (Koha)

The commander of the NATO mission in Kosovo, KFOR, Major General Oezkan Ulutash, received on Tuesday in a meeting the newly appointed head of the EU Office in Kosovo, Aivo Orav. Ulutash and Orav discussed the latest developments in Kosovo.

In the announcement issued by KFOR, it is stated that NATO-EU cooperation is key for stable security in Kosovo and for regional stability. "The commander reiterated KFOR's unwavering commitment to continued cooperation with the EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) and full support for the EU-mediated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina," the announcement continued.

Kurti visits municipality of North Mitrovica and new businesses there (RTK)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, except for Leposaviq, visited North Mitrovica on Tuesday, where he also met with the Mayor of the Municipality, Erden Atiq. They discussed the plans and objectives of the municipality to improve the lives of residents without distinction.

In the announcement of the government, it is stated that Kurti also visited new newly opened businesses in North Mitrovica, which create good and suitable opportunities for creating new jobs and increasing the employment of residents without distinction, increasing welfare and guaranteeing inclusiveness.

"The development potential of the municipality of North Mitrovica is high and as such it should be used positively for the benefit of the citizens. The opening of new businesses and their development affect the progress of four municipalities in the north of the country which have already begun to flourish and move towards the path of prosperity after a long and dark period of the influence of criminal gangs", the announcement states.

Kurti emphasised the government's support for initiatives that affect the improvement of citizens' lives and the increase in employment, as well as the unwavering support for the work of the municipality of North Mitrovica.

Meanwhile, Kurti, accompanied by the Minister of Local Government Administration, Elbert Krasniqi and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, closely visited the works being carried out on the road axis that connects the areas of South Mitrovica with Zubin Potok and Zvecan circuit, with length 6.5 kilometres.

“The road that connects the areas of South Mitrovica with the Zubin Potok - Zvecan circuit, will facilitate the living and access of the residents, helping in the interaction and connection of the northern municipalities with other municipalities of the country", the announcement states.

PIK on Arsenijevic's arrest: We have not had any complaints, but we will analyse footage (Klan)

The Serb politician, Aleksandar Arsenijevic, was arrested on Tuesday in North Mitrovica, after blowing the whistle on the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti. The spokesperson of the Police Inspectorate of Kosovo, Arber Beka, told Klan Kosova that the PIK has not yet received any complaints regarding this arrest.

"PIK has so far not received any complaint regarding this arrest, however according to official duty we will analyse the images and circumstances of the case and we will act in accordance with the legal authorizations of PIK", Beka said.

After the arrest, the deputy police director for the northern region, Veton Elshani, said that he was fined according to the law on public order.

Reactions after the arrest of the Serb Politician Aleksander Arsnijevic (media)

The Pristina-based Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) said in a statement on Tuesday that if whistling at Kosovo’s Prime Minister was the real and only reason for Arsenijevic’s arrest that is a serious violation of human rights, denying the rights to freedom of speech and the freedom of peaceful assembly guaranteed by Kosovo’s laws and national and international documents for human rights. “This is not the first time that Arsenijevic is arrested and then released after being interviewed by the police. The CDHRF protects the right to freedom of speech, expression and peaceful protest, regardless of national, religious, political beliefs, race, gender, age and status in society. Investigations and measures on eventual violations,” the statement notes.

The director of KIPRED, Lulzim Peci, has said that arrest of Serbian activist Aleksandar Arsnijevic due to whistleblowing is a shameful act of the Kosovo Police. "Then, come and convince someone that our institutions respect human rights and that they respect the rights of non-majority communities," he wrote. He said that with this approach of the Kosovo institutions towards the local Serbs, the Association will be sought but will not be found.

Dardan Molliqaj, leader of the Social-Democratic Party (PSD), said that if someone is arrested just for whistling, neither the law nor the order speaks.

"When you arrest someone at gunpoint, you are not talking about law and order, nor is Serbia fighting. Repression is being exercised, fundamental freedoms are being suppressed. I have protested hundreds of times in Pristina, I have had no consequences. Historically, Kosovo has fought for freedom and in the name of freedom. There is nothing worse than using yesterday's victim status as a weapon, in order to exercise repression today," Molliqaj wrote.

Former Klan Kosova CEO and reporter, Adriatik Kelmendi, wrote in a Facebook post that Kosovo is one, inseparable and belongs to all. “Equally to Prime Minister Kurti who goes to inaugurate the opening of the restaurant of a famous Kosovo brand in the north of Mitrovica, and to opposition politician Arsenijevic who protests with his whistle against him. Both are in their rights, guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo. Kurti goes today to the store of a newly-opened business of an Albanian in the north, something that was difficult in the past. But the north will be as also Kurti wants it, only when the Serb opposition politician Arsenijevic will have the right to protest against the Prime Minister and not get arrested by the police. If we call for non-discrimination in business, we also need to call for non-discrimination in exercising the constitutional right to protest. Both actions are democratic. Both make Kosovo better. Let us not forget that Kurti himself started with a whistle and managed to become Prime Minister!”

Sinani stopped again at the border: Unreasonable stops by border authorities of Serbia (Telegrafi)

The mayor of Presheva, Ardita Sinani, has stated that she was stopped by the border authorities of Serbia during the crossing at the border point of Tabanoci. She announced that the official vehicle of the Municipality of Presheva was subjected to a detailed inspection. Sinani has requested a reaction from the international community to these actions, which she described as a violation of the rights of the Albanians of the Presheva Valley.

The only Albanian MP in the Assembly of Serbia, Shaip Kamberi, has reacted to the repeated stopping of Ardita Sinani, by Serbian officials at the border point in Tabanoc. In his post on Facebook, Kamberi wrote that Vulin's List is still being applied.

"Serbia is increasingly moving away from Western values and the application of democracy. How bad for a country that claims to become part of the EU", said Kamberi.

Serbian Language Media

KFOR Spokesperson on Ibar River bridge (Kosovo Online, KoSSev, media)

The decision regarding opening of Ibar River bridge in Mitrovica for vehicles must be made through dialogue and timely and effective coordination with the international community, stated KFOR Spokesperson Salvatore Mascoli, Kosovo Online portal reported.

"The NATO-led KFOR Mission is fully focused on fulfilling its UN mandate, based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 from 1999, and contributes to a safe and secure environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo, as well as the freedom of movement, at all times and impartially", he said in a statement provided to the media.

Regarding the potential opening of the Ibar River bridge, he pointed out that KFOR's position has been transparent and consistent throughout.

"Any decision in this regard must be made through dialogue and timely and effective coordination with the international community. In the meantime, KFOR will maintain its continuous presence at the bridge and will continue to conduct regular patrols in the surrounding areas", the KFOR Spokesperson added.

Congresswoman to Blinken: What will the US do to protect Kosovo Serbs’ rights? (Kosovo Online, N1, media)

Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, requesting a response on what actions the U.S. will take to protect the rights of Serbs in Kosovo, as Prime Minister Albin Kurti, according to her, is once again threatening peace despite criticism from the State Department.

"Once again, Kurti's actions are jeopardizing peace and stability in the Western Balkans. Despite strong criticism from the State Department, Kurti's behavior has not changed. I sent a letter to Blinken asking to know what actions the U.S. will take to ensure that the rights of ethnic Serbs in Kosovo are protected and that Kurti is held accountable", Tenney wrote on the social network X.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/CU1my

Serbian Democracy leaders detained for several hours amid Kurti’s visit in Mitrovica North (KoSSev, Radio KIM, media, social media)

The political landscape in Mitrovica North saw heightened tensions yesterday as key figures from the Serbian Democratic party were arrested by Kosovo police during the visit of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti to the region, KoSSev portal reported.

Aleksandar Arsenijevic, leader of Serbian Democracy, was arrested at Mitrovica North promenade while blowing the whistle during Kurti’s visit. At the time of the arrest, Kurti was dining at a newly opened fast-food restaurant at the promenade, owned by an Albanian businessman, in the company of Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla, and Minister of Local Government Administration, Elbert Krasniqi.

The deputy leader of Serbian Democracy, Ivan Orlovic, was also detained for, as Kosovo police said, disturbing public order. Arsenijevic and Orlovic were released after a few hours in police custody and fines for “obstructing public peace and order” were issued to them.

Videos of Arsenijevic’s arrest by a group of Kosovo police uniformed and plainclothes officers were widely shared by both Serbian media and on social media. One of the videos is available at: https://shorturl.at/eRsNs

Commenting on the video of Arsenijevic’s arrest, in which Kosovo police officer is also seen twisting few times the arm of a young woman who was recording the scene, Milica Rakic Andric from New Social Initiative wrote in a post on X social platform: “Shameful conduct of Kosovo police against citizens who are protesting against Kurti but also against those attempting to record that conduct. Now, only imagine what happens when there are no cameras”.

Serbian Democracy leaders released, Arsenijevic says police repression in place (media)

Serbian Democracy leaders Aleksandar Arsenijevic and Ivan Orlovic had been released yesterday after spending a few hours in police custody and fines for “obstructing public peace and order” were issued to them, KoSSev portal reported. Upon release Arsenijevic recalled the arrest of four young Serb men in Mitrovica North the night before, terming their arrest as well as his own and that of his party colleague as “implementation of police repression”.

He said they can not impact the decision to send the young men to 48-hour detention but that they clearly expressed their protest. Addressing the people who gathered in front of the police station to protest his and Orlovic’s arrest, Arsenijevic urged the people to withdraw as an armoured vehicle of Kosovo special police was stationed there. “Maybe they could intervene against us and for this reason, I would, due to security reasons, ask us to withdraw and then continue tomorrow, in order not to put anyone in danger, because there are no rules here, no law, no order”, Arsenijevic said.

“We publicly appeal that young men be released and their case continue in regular proceeding…..by silent resistance and passive civic disobedience we will go ahead”, he said.

Commenting on the fines issued to him and Orlovic he said that “they will be dismissed at court because it is simple, making noise, we have the right until 22.00 hrs. Let police get familiar with their work, and their brutality you have seen yourself”, he added.

Peci: Arrest of Arsenijevic because of whistling is a shameful act of Kosovo police (Radio kontakt plus)

Lulzim Peci, KIPRED Director and former diplomat said yesterday the arrest of Aleksandar Arsenijevic because of blowing the whistle during the visit of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Mitrovica North was a shameful act of Kosovo police, Radio kontakt plus reported.

Peci argued that by this act Kosovo police not only deprived the person who protested in a non-violent manner of his liberty, but also destroyed the narrative of law and order Kosovo Government loudly propagates.

“Then come and convince someone that our institutions respect human rights and that they respect the rights of non-majority communities. By this irrational and anti-constitutional approach you have asked for Association, but have not found it”, Peci said in a post on Facebook. Civil society and opposition parties should not be silent when human rights are violated, in particular when this is done to the members of non-majority communities, he said “Silence no more or less represents acceptance of such acts and participation in destruction of liberal democracy in our country”, Peci added.

Political analyst Petrit Zogaj also reacted over Arsenijevic’s request terming it as a shameful act of Kosovo police. In a post on Facebook, Zogaj said that such actions are an open invitation by Kosovo Government to the Serbs in the north to resort to civic disobedience.

“This arrest because the citizen whistles at prime minister, in addition to being a shameful action of Kosovo police is an open invitation of (Albin) Kurti’s government to the citizens in the north to resort to civic disobedience. This is most probably Kurti’s goal”, he said.

Kurti laid foundation stone for two houses for Albanians in Leposavic, more than 200 planned (Kosovo Online)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti laid the foundation stone for houses of two Albanian families in Leposavic, Kosovo Online portal reported citing Pristina-based Reporteri. Kurti, in presence of Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla and Minister of Local Self-government Administration Elbert Krasniqi, congratulated the families Hajdari from Bistrica and Miftari from Ceraja villages for getting new houses.

The construction of Hajdari and Miftari family houses and other houses takes place within the program of the Ministry of Local Self-Government and the association "Orphans of the Balkans" for the construction of houses for non-majority communities in municipalities in northern Kosovo.

It is planned to build more than 200 houses for non-majority communities including Albanians, Bosnians and Turks, in the four northern municipalities of Leposavic, Zubin Potok, Mitrovica North and Zvecan. Serbs are not included as beneficiaries of this project, Serbian media recalled earlier, voicing concerns of further “Albanization” of the north.

International Media

Hague Court Cuts Jail Time for Kosovo’s ‘Commander Cali’ Again (Balkan Insight)

Appeals judges at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers war crimes court reduced the sentence for wartime guerrilla commander Salih Mustafa, who was convicted of arbitrary detention, torture and murder, from 22 to 15 years.

The Court of Appeals Panel at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague has reduced the sentence handed down to the former Kosovo Liberation Army unit commander to 15 years in prison, cutting the penalty by seven years.

The judges “imposed in relation to Mr. Mustafa’s convictions for the war crimes of arbitrary detention, torture and murder sentences respectively eight, 13 and 15 years of imprisonment and an overall sentence of 15 years with credit for time served”, the Specialist Chambers announced in a statement on Tuesday.