UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 28, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

Kosovo Assembly adopts resolution condemning attack in Banjska (media)
Kurti: Serbia ruins bridges of cooperation; police showed determination (EO)
Kurti wants Serbia “to be punished internationally” for the attack in Banjska (Klan)
Kosovo special police step up presence in north after attack in Banjska (RFE)
Rama: KFOR should take over control in north of Kosovo (Indeksonline)
Vetevendosje’s Mihali reacts to Rama’s proposal for KFOR in north of Kosovo (media)
EU in Belgrade didn’t lower flag to half-mast: “We don’t mourn criminals” (Kallxo)
Clark: Incident in north of Kosovo, a real problem for stability in the Balkans (VoA)
Kamberi reacts to Vucic’s statement about “trained criminals from Presheva” (media)

Serbian Language Media:

An order has arrived from the SNS: Mayors and presidents of municipalities across Serbia are resigning (N1)
Petkovic voices serious accusations against Kosovo police and its role in Banjska killings (Radio KIM, N1)
Increased presence of special police in the north; Petkovic: Why didn't they allow EULEX to participate in the investigative operation (RTS)
"Flags lowered, heads bowed": What are the residents in Kosovo north saying in the days after the conflict in Banjska? (Danas)
Serbs in areas south of Ibar River: Tensions, uncertainty, sadness and powerlessness felt (Kosovo Online)
PKS: Armed conflict in Banjska last alarm for all parties in dialogue (KiM radio)
The house of Bosiljka Nojic in Gnjilane stoned (RTV Puls, Kosovo Online, Kontakt plus radio)
Reaction of the Diocese to the statement of retired American General Clark (VoA, KiM radio)
Serbia’s top security agency says its chief on visit to Israel (N1)
Dveri, Oathkeepers, the People's Party demanding a parliamentary session on Kosovo (KiM Radio, Beta)
Sutanovac: I think Vucic did not know what was happening in Banjska (Radio KIM, N1)
Rada Trajkovic: How come “mysterious hand, with power on both sides, always saves Radoicic” (NMagazin, Beta, KoSSev)

Opinion:

Franz-Lothar Altmann: Additional international forces need to be deployed to northern Kosovo (Demostat)

International:

Kosovo Frees Four Serbs after Clashes, Alleges New Serbia Link (BIRN)
Kosovo accuses Serbia of involvement in paramilitary ambush (The Guardian)
Statute of Limitations as ‘Amnesty’ in Too Many Kosovo Criminal Cases (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media

Kosovo Assembly adopts resolution condemning attack in Banjska (media)

All members of the Kosovo Assembly that were present in today’s session voted in favour of a resolution condemning the attack in Banjska near Zvecan which resulted in the killing of a Kosovo police officer and the wounding of three other officers. The resolution calls for an international investigation into the events. It calls on all institutions of Kosovo to continue their joint work for the full integration and coexistence among all communities without any differences. “It encourages and supports political pluralism among the Serb community in Kosovo, whose development enables democratic progress and increases transparency and accountability to this community and implements the promotion of its real interests in the Republic of Kosovo,” the document notes. The resolution also calls on the government to “cooperate with international allies especially with the United States of America to strengthen the State of Law and shared Euro-Atlantic values”.

Kurti: Serbia ruins bridges of cooperation; police showed determination (EO)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said today that the attack in the north of Kosovo on Sunday showed that “Serbia is committed to destroying bridges of cooperation and not to contribute in building them”. “We are all witnesses of the latest events. The terrorist attack in the north confirmed the claims we made earlier. This is proof that Serbia is committed to destroying bridges, not building them. Police showed determination and showed that they wanted order and quiet. Our police officer, Afrim Bunjaku, fell heroically, he lost his life showing that the love for the state is above all,” Kurti said.

Kurti wants Serbia “to be punished internationally” for the attack in Banjska (Klan)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in his address at the Kosovo Assembly today that Serbia should be punished internationally for Sunday’s attack in Banjska near Zvecan, adding that if “Serbia is not sanctioned it will repeat the crime”. “On Sunday we experienced an attack of aggression from Serbia’s criminal and terrorist gangs against our state. The orchestrated attack of terrorist gangs killed sergeant Afrim Bunjaku and wounded another police officer. It was a grave day for our country … The terrorists have either been killed, arrested or are being prosecuted because they fled. Afrim Bunjaku is the newest hero of Kosovo. He was killed in an ambush,” he is quoted as saying. “The attackers who are fleeing must surrender themselves to Kosovo authorities. Our partner countries should declare these organisations as terrorists. For this act, Serbia should be sanctioned and punished internationally, because if it remains unpunished, it will repeat the crime”.

Kosovo special police step up presence in north after attack in Banjska (RFE)

The armed attack in Banjska near Zvecan brought even more special forces of the Kosovo Police to the north. Two months ago, the Kosovo government had agreed to reduce the presence of this unit in the Serb-majority region, in line with an agreement with the European Union to lower tensions.

The situation in the north became tense in late May when Albanian mayors, under the escort of special police, went to the municipal premises. The action triggered reactions, at times violent, by the local population who opposed the Albanian mayors and the presence of Kosovo Police special forces. After several weeks of pressure by the EU, the Kosovo government agreed to reduce by 50 percent the presence of special units around the municipal premises in the north, and to organise new elections there.

But the attack in Banjska, where an armed group attacked the Kosovo Police and killed one of its officers on September 24, led in another direction.

Kosovo Police General Director Gazmend Hoxha told Radio Free Europe that police have stepped up their presence in the north. “We have stepped up our presence and vigilance along the borderline. We have also stepped up the presence of Kosovo Police special units in the north of Kosovo. We have somewhat reduced the patrols of ordinary police officers, because they are not at the level of defence to confront an eventual attack,” he said.

Hoxha did not provide details on the increased presence of special units but said that Kosovo Police is continuously coordinating with NATO’s peacekeeping mission KFOR, and with the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX).

The news website contacted Kosovo’s Ministry of Interior Affairs about the presence of special units in the north but received no response.

Rama: KFOR should take over control in north of Kosovo (Indeksonline)

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said today that NATO’s peacekeeping force, KFOR, should take over control in the north of Kosovo and the parties should return to the dialogue while the French-German plan is still on the table.

“KFOR should take control over the north of Kosovo. I have made this proposal several times, and I have provided lengthy explanations for this. Any justification today that ‘we don’t have troops’ could result in an even bigger intervention in troops tomorrow but also in difficulties. I am glad that Kosovo too is asking for this, KFOR in the north. I haven’t heard Serbia objecting to it. It doesn’t really matter who wants what here, the situation today requires this, and if it was done earlier this would not have happened. But in my opinion, it is better a little later than too late. I am glad that [Kosovo President Vjosa] Osmani has publicly asked for U.S. assistance for the draft of the Association [of Serb-majority municipalities. In essence her request is positive, it is finally a step in the right direction for Kosovo. It doesn’t matter who writes and who proposes it, but only one matters and that is that the draft will meet the legitimate request of the dialogue, based on an agreement signed by the governments of Kosovo and Serbia. Governments come and go, serious countries don’t, and they implement the agreements. The French-German plan is still on the table. History teaches us that if you get too picky and ask for more, you will get less,” Rama said.

Vetevendosje’s Mihali reacts to Rama’s proposal for KFOR in north of Kosovo (media)

Dejona Mihali, a member of the chairmanship of the Kurti-led Vetevendosje Movement, reacted in a Facebook post today against Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama’s proposal that KFOR should take over control in the north of Kosovo. Mihali writes: “Perhaps the silence of the Prime Minister of Albania for a couple of days would be the biggest help to Kosovo in these times. Moreover, Kosovo has never asked for KFOR to take over control in the north. And it will not do so. Every kid knows this. Only Serbia wants this. The government of Kosovo has asked last year mainly for the increase of NATO troops in Kosovo, while referring to the constant threats and acts of aggression by the Serbian Army on the border with Kosovo”.

EU in Belgrade didn’t lower flag to half-mast: “We don’t mourn criminals” (Kallxo)

The European Union office in Serbia did not lower the EU flag to half-mast on the day when Serbia declared a day of mourning for the attackers that died in Kosovo. In a response to Kallxo, EU spokesperson Peter Stano said: “We have seen that Serbia declared a day of mourning yesterday. The EU delegation in Serbia did not lower the EU flag at half-mast. In general, the EU is against the glorification and mourning of criminals and terrorists”.

Stano said that the EU Office in Kosovo lowered the flag at half-mast in honour of Afrim Bunjaku who was killed by the armed group on Sunday. “On Monday, the EU Office in Pristina lowered the EU flag at half-mast to honour the killed police officer and the wounded police officers of Kosovo, victims of a heinous terrorist attack on Sunday. The EU position on the attack was expressed clearly in the statements of HRVP [Josep Borrell] on September 24. Moreover, the attackers must never be equalised with the victims,” Stano is quoted as saying.

Clark: Incident in north of Kosovo, a real problem for stability in the Balkans (VoA)

Former NATO SACEUR, General Wesley Clark, who commanded the NATO air raids against Serbian targets in 1999, said in an interview with the Voice of America that the latest incident in the north of Kosovo is a real problem for stability in the Balkans. He argued that NATO to strengthen its capacities to be efficient all over Kosovo, and that the weapons could have come from Serbia and that this could have been a coordinated action or at least approved in silence by Serbian special forces.

“We know from earlier experiences in the Balkans in the 1990s that Serbian monasteries were a refuge for Serbian nationalism. And this does not rule out their use as arsenals. Perhaps this is the most concerning thing. I hope that KFOR will insist on these monasteries to be inspected and for the arsenals to be confiscated, because there is no room for this amid efforts to reach an autonomy agreement for the Serb citizens of Kosovo. It is counterproductive and there is no room for threats of violence and with arms,” he said.

Commenting on Sunday’s attack in the north of Kosovo, Clark said it was a tragedy and that it represents a real problem. “First of all, it is a tragedy for all sides and it is a real problem for stability in the Balkans. It should be a concern for the European Union and NATO too, as the details of the incidents surface,” he said.

Kamberi reacts to Vucic’s statement about “trained criminals from Presheva” (media)

Shaip Kamberi, member of the Serbian Parliament and leader of the Party for Democratic Action in Presevo Valley, said in a post on X today that “[Serbian] President Vucic last night declared that in action of Banjska, among professional police of RKS, were also ‘trained criminals from Presheva’. I invite international community to act in prevention of any attempt by the serbian autocrat for revenge toward Alb from Presheva Valley.”

Serbian Language Media

An order has arrived from the SNS: Mayors and presidents of municipalities across Serbia are resigning (N1, nova.rs)

The President of the Municipality of Kraljevo, Predrag Terzic, resigned from that position. The presidents of the municipalities of Kucevo and Smederevo, all members of the Serbian Progressive Party, did the same, reported N1.

As N1 learns, Terzic made the decision to resign this morning.

The president of the Municipality of Smederevo, Jovan Bec, also submitted his resignation at the clerk's office, the portal Nova.rs reported.

Kucevo was also left without the first man of the municipality, whose president Ivan Rajicic informed the public about it in a press release.

He said that it was an honour for him to serve as the president of the Kucevo municipality for the past three years and thanked everyone for enabling him and his team to take responsibility for managing the community in these difficult times.

N1 unofficially learns that the president of Trstenik Municipality, Milena Turk, has also resigned, and according to our knowledge, all presidents of municipalities in the south of Serbia will do the same by Friday morning.

The mayor of Belgrade, Aleksandar Sapic, said today that the elections will most likely be held on December 17.

"You will know in a few days. If the elections are on December 17, if it is a final agreement, you will know in a few days. There are exactly legal procedures that condition that decision. In a few days you will have information if we agree that the final date will be December 17. And most likely it will, and in a few days you will know what steps will be taken so that we have to conduct the elections on December 17," replied Sapic to the N1's journalist question, when he will resign if the elections are held on December 17 and whether he will go to some other tactic, such as the collective resignation of all government councillors in the capital.

NMagazin recalled that the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, said last night, as a guest on RTS, that the parliamentary, provincial, Belgrade elections, as well as in some other municipalities, can be held as early as December 17.

"I received a letter, here it is official. You have to respect democracy and the opposition parties, and I am not someone who is enthusiastic about their work. They said that the country is collapsing, that the economy is destroyed, although it is stronger than when they led this country... I accepted their idea, and we are ready for the elections on December 17, they can be on December 17," said Vucic.

He said that December 24 is the Catholic Christmas Day, and that they cannot be held then.

Petkovic voices serious accusations against Kosovo police and its role in Banjska killings (Radio KIM, N1)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic addressing an extraordinary press conference in Belgrade today said that Kosovo police did not allow EULEX to take part in the investigation in the village of Banjska, following the shooting that occurred there, Radio KIM reports, citing N1.

"Why does nobody talk about the fact that Kosovo police was the one that secured the place they were investigating, and at the same time did not allow EULEX to participate in all the investigative activities and gathering of evidence on the spot? Why didn't EULEX come forward and say that the Kosovo police forbade them to participate in what is the responsibility of EULEX itself? This was done because the Kosovo police wanted to hide certain evidence and hide the truth. And the truth is that the Serbs were killed in cold blood and brutally", Petkovic said.

According to him, the state of Serbia has obtained reliable evidence and witnesses who say "what actually happened on September 24".

"We are talking about statements confirmed on the polygraph, that Bojan Mijailovic, the father of two children, was killed in cold blood and brutally after he was wounded and after he surrendered. He was brutally killed by Kosovo police... We have information that the families have made an identification and that Bojan was mutilated. I have photos but they are not blurred. He was killed at close range, his head was mutilated”, Petkovic said.

He noted that there is evidence and witnesses who are ready to identify all Albanians who, according to him, participated in the killing of Serbs in the town of Banjska.

"That's why our request that an independent commission of experts with Serbian pathologists examine the bodies and perform an autopsy is important. Pristina has been hiding the bodies of murdered Serbs for the fourth day. It is especially important for us to look at the bodies of Bojan (Mijailovic) and Igor (Milenkovic), because it will clearly be shown how they were killed", he said.

He added that conflicts are one thing, and when you, as he said, brutally kill a helpless man is another thing.

"As the days pass, there will be evidence that will expose the lies of Pristina, as well as accomplices from the international community who call Serbs terrorists, and hired killers law enforcement. Yesterday, we requested an additional autopsy from EULEX, and today I also requested it from (Miroslav) Lajcak", he said.

Petkovic also noted that by this Pristina's action, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti showed his goal was to expel the Serbs.

"He wants to expel the Serbian people and he showed it in a brutal violent action. Conflicts are one thing, and it's another when you kill a wounded man", he concluded.

Increased presence of special police in the north; Petkovic: Why didn't they allow EULEX to participate in the investigative operation (RTS)

RTS reports that after four days, as of yesterday, entry was allowed to the village of Banjska. Today is the third day of mourning in the Serbian communities of Kosovo. The Brnjak and Jarinje crossings from central Serbia to North Mitrovica are still closed, while traffic in the opposite direction continues without problems.

RTS reported that Kosovo police director general, Gazmend Hoxha, announced that the presence of special units in the north of Kosovo has increased after the events in Banjska.

"We increased the presence and vigilance around the border zone. We also increased the presence of the special unit of the Kosovo police in the north of Kosovo. We slightly reduced the patrols of ordinary police officers because they do not have such a level of protection to face every possible attack," Hoxha told RFE.

He did not provide details on how much the capacities of the special unit have been strengthened, but he said that the Kosovo Police is in constant coordination with KFOR and EULEX.

Petkovic: Why did Kosovo police not allow EULEX to participate in the investigative operation in Banjska

The Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, asked why Kosovo police did not allow EULEX to participate in the investigative operation in Banjska.

On X (formerly Twitter), Petkovic also asked why it was necessary for the Kosovo police to conduct the investigation on their own, without the presence of EULEX investigators, and what was to be hidden in the investigation.

In the next post on social network X, Petkovic also wrote:

“Were there, among the Kosovo police, also contract killers trained in terrorist camps, whose task was to assassinate Serbs? Were those contract killers brought to PR from different sides tasked with assassinating Serbs in Banjska in cold blood?”

"Flags lowered, heads bowed": What are the residents of Kosovo north saying in the days after the conflict in Banjska? (Danas)

"The flags were lowered; the heads of the Serbs were bowed. The Serbian community closed in on itself, its fears. Too many questions, but no answers. The north of Kosovo has a picture, but there is no tone", Aleksandar Arsenijevic from North Mitrovica, the leader of the Civic Initiative "Serbian Survival", told Danas daily, when asked how the days passed after the armed conflict on Sunday, in the Zvecan village of Banjska.

While giving a statement to Danas, he says that a helicopter can be heard in the background.

"While I'm talking to you, the KFOR helicopter can be heard. It also gets up on the bird when it flies, but we didn't hear it that day. I think that the events of Sunday shook the confidence in KFOR and EULEX, but the confidence in them is still greater than in the illegal composition of the Albanian mono-ethnic special units," says Arsenijevic.

On Tuesday, the residents of Mitrovica, Leposavic, Kolasin and Zvecan paid their respects to the killed Serbs, who died in the conflict with the Kosovo security forces, by lighting candles. The Serbian authorities in the north of Kosovo declared three days of mourning.

"Whether someone liked it or not, whether someone renounced those people or not, the citizens still came out to pay tribute to their compatriots, neighbours, friends, and they will never be considered terrorists, because this is a small community where we all live together," he states.

Conveying the atmosphere that reigns in Mitrovica, he says that it is chaotic, that people have countless questions, few answers, and that there is great distrust in anything that is heard. It is believed that everything can be disinformation, he adds.

"The flags were lowered; the heads of the residents were bowed. What is present is the growing fear of retaliation by Pristina against the citizens, who will certainly not see this as an isolated incident but will blame the entire Serbian people for this. The special forces have been vengeful until now, saying that what they are doing is nothing compared to what Slobodan Milosevic's police did in Kosovo and that therefore everything they are doing is justified. After this now, under the pretext that they had a terrorist action in the north, no one can guess. Only with that bowed head can we expect an axe on the neck," says Arsenijevic.

The leader of "Serbian Survival" says that all actors must ask themselves what the causes of the armed conflict are, which he says international officials were warned about at internal meetings, but also all other actors publicly.

"All factors must be asked about what led to this, even though everyone warned the international community at meetings, and all actors publicly, that this could happen even a year and a half ago. Why was it all swept under the rug? In addition to the international investigation that must be conducted for the consequences, it must also be conducted for the cause of the incident, as well as to consider all the reports of our citizens," he says.

Four people who were arrested during the events in Banjska have been released, Pristina media reported. The Special Prosecutor's Office in Pristina stated that the four persons who were arrested far from the scene of the incident, when the conflict occurred in Banjska, were released on Tuesday in the absence of evidence presented by the Kosovo police.

"Of course, it's positive, but in the sea of negativity, it's just one drop. Svecla said on the first day that there were more of them, figures of eight people also appeared in the Albanian media. Many are afraid and have prepared for the black flag to fly over their house," Arsenijevic said.

Speaking about relations between different communities in the north of Kosovo, the leader of "Serbian Survival" says that inter-ethnic relations are at the worst possible level since the March pogrom of 2004. He is afraid that there will be even greater radicalization.

He repeats that the locals have a handful of questions, but that they don't have answers to even the essential ones - how, why, what and because of what.

"Citizens have the same information as you in Belgrade, that's all from the media. Nothing more," he says.

The statements of the official Belgrade, which, according to Arsenijevic, are very confusing, do not help people in understanding what is happening.

"But I don't think that at the moment it's on anyone's mind, nor are they interested in what the official Belgrade or anyone else says, because the Serbian community has withdrawn into itself," says Arsenijevic.

When asked how the Serbian List is acting, he answered by saying that he thinks it is not the time for partisanship and politics, although he would have a lot to say on that topic.

"We still don't even know who those people were. Judging by the information about the dead, as well as by the documents found, which does not necessarily mean that the owners of the documents were there, that they were people who fled from the arrest in July," he says.

Among the people, there is strong distrust in the investigation conducted by the Kosovo Prosecutor's Office, as well as in various statements coming from Pristina.

"So right now, it's a very bad situation," he says.

How will the situation develop further?

"There is speculation that there is a possibility that even the bodies will not be returned to the families, so all of this has an impact on further development, as do the actions of Pristina," says interlocutor of Danas.

Arsenijevic also describes the events of Sunday.

"On Sunday, it was only at six o'clock in the afternoon that speculation began that some local people had died, bidding began with different information, but nothing was known during the day. We were simply closed to a lot of information, there was also speculation that a false flag scenario was being created for the KSF to come to the north, to the point that the Serbian Army entered Kosovo, or that a conflict broke out between two fractions of special forces. All sorts of things were said. We had information as it was something happening in Nagorno-Karabakh, not in the neighbouring municipality," Arsenijevic explains.

Serbs in areas south of Ibar River: Tensions, uncertainty, sadness and powerlessness felt (Kosovo Online)

Every crisis in the north reflects on the Serbs living south of the Ibar River, and equally after the developments in the north, uncertainty, fear, sadness for those killed and powerlessness is being felt, interlocutors told Kosovo Online portal.

“People solidarize with people in the north. We are all the same, we are all Serbs. What happened is not good. I feel sorrow for the officer who died, I feel sorrow for Serbs who died. There is a culprit, we all know who it is, somebody who really wanted this to happen. The situation should calm as soon as possible (…)”, Igor Joksimovic from Gracanica said.

Momir Jevtic, also from Gracanica said the situation was tense constantly, but it is particularly tense after events in Banjska.

“It is tense here all the time, only some events pour additional oil on fire. People are anxious, they await what will come next”, he said.

Zoran Mitic, also from Gracanica, believes things will have to get better. “It will be okay, it will be better”, he said.

Ljubica Nedeljkovic from Novi Badovac village said they currently live in uncertainty. “Uncertainty is felt, sadness, powerlessness. Simply you do not know what to do with your life”, she said.

Today at noon, candles will be lit for those killed in Banjska in Gracanica as well.

Events in northern Kosovo also negatively impacted residents in Strpce municipality. Slavica Redzic said she fears the most for the safety of children.

“It is unsafe for us, and children. Our children go to school, we are afraid, we have to accompany them to the school, then wait for them. We never know what will come next”, Redzic said.

Jelena Janicijevic from Strpce also said the latest events in the north made all of them feel unsafe. “I feel unsafe, unsecure, fearful, and stress is constantly present. In addition to compassion with our people in northern Kosovo, we also feel fear for all of us living south of the Ibar River”, she said.

PKS: Armed conflict in Banjska last alarm for all parties in dialogue (KiM radio)

''The armed conflict that took place on September 24 in Banjska was the last alarm for all parties in the dialogue process aimed at reconciliation, and we were brought to the brink of an open Serbian-Albanian conflict on a wider scale,'' the Party of Kosovo Serbs (PKS) assesses, reported KiM Radio.

"Three of our Serb compatriots and one member of the Kosovo police lost their lives in this conflict. A tragedy that does not need to be described in words and sadness is visible at every step, while we mourn our victims", the statement of the PKS states.

It is added that "this moment and the joint sacrifices should be a big warning to stop and make some compromise and relaxing decisions".

"The fact that the Government of Kosovo, following an express procedure, announced that the entire north has been declared an 'anti-terrorist operation zone' leads us all in the wrong direction! At the same moment, the Serbs, with the blockade of Jarinje and Brnjak, are becoming prisoners of the largest prison camp in Europe of the 21st century, called the north of Kosovo ".

The PKS points out in a statement that it does not accept "the labelling of Serbs and the North as terrorists".

"It is an ill-advised move by the Government of Kosovo that will potentially cause increased pressure from the Kosovo police against the citizens, and on the other hand, it can cause the anger and revolt of the Serbs," the text stated.

The PKS calls on the Prime Minister and the Government of Kosovo to, instead of such excessive actions, start a political dialogue with the Serbs from the north of Kosovo and thus, in direct communication, try to achieve mutual success, which depends solely on them.

"If, as before, we wait for KFOR, EULEX, UNMIK, we will lose precious time and will not get far, and the results will be devastating, both for Albanians and for Serbs who, without a doubt, want a better and safer future, respecting the vital interests of other parties," concludes the PKS announcement.

The house of Bosiljka Nojic in Gnjilane stoned (RTV Puls, Kosovo Online, Kontakt plus radio)

The house of Bosiljka Nojic, one of the few Serbian women who still lives in Gnjilane, was stoned this week. There were no injuries, reports RTV Puls

One window of Bosiljka Nojić's house, which is located near the city cemetery, was broken with a stone. Far more than the damage, Bosiljka was struck by the fear she felt as a result of an unexpected attack by an unknown perpetrator.

"I didn't see who it was. It was around 8.30 in the evening. We reported it, but the police did not show up," Bosiljka told RTV Puls.

Today, it is difficult to even ask Serbs from Gnjilane how they are, how they live, how they spend their time.

"Do not ask. I sit alone, only when I go out to buy something in the store. That is all. But life is hard", says Bosiljka.

She adds that the neighbours have not communicated with her in the last five or six years.

"It used to be better, we all had contact in the neighbourhood, but not now."

Today, only this seventy-year-old Serbian woman remains in the settlement of Kamnik, where her compatriots once lived.

"I would like to sell the house, if possible and leave. I don't have a second chance. And no one would sit this long like me", says Bosiljka.

Before the war, about 17,000 Serbs lived in Gnjilane, today only about forty, reported RTV Puls.

Reaction of the Diocese to the statement of retired American General Clark (VoA, KiM radio)

The Diocese of Raska-Prizren reacted to the statement of the retired American general Wesley Clarke given to the VoA regarding the recent events in the north of Kosovo, noting that it is deeply concerned about the incorrect claim that "weapons were allegedly stored" in the Banjska monastery, reported KiM radio.

The Diocese, as they state, clearly conveyed in its announcements what was found by the Kosovo Police and EULEX.

"In the building outside the monastery complex, which at the time of the latest events, the abbot of the monastery and the brothers were unable to control, and into which the armed persons independently entered on September 24, as well as in the courtyard of the monastery, some weapons and equipment were left during their withdrawal," they stated.

"After a detailed inspection of the monastery by the Kosovo Police and EULEX in the presence of Abbot Danilo, it was determined that no weapons were stored in the monastery itself, as this is contrary to the spiritual role of the Church, which opposes all forms of violence," the Eparchy notes.

They point out that the retired American general's statement does not contribute to building peace but encourages the spread of inaccurate information and endangers the facilities and property of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo.

"The Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija remains very resolute in its position that it opposes any kind of violence and conflict, and that is why it was among the first to condemn the violence that happened that day in the north of Kosovo and Metohija, in the vicinity of the Banjska monastery. The Church also on this occasion calls for peace and security for all citizens," it was concluded.

Serbia’s top security agency says its chief on visit to Israel (N1)

Serbia’s top civilian security agency said on Thursday that its chief Aleksandar Vulin was in Israel for an official visit arranged earlier, reported N1.

The press release from the Security Information Agency (BIA) came after pictures of BIA Director Vulin in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem appeared in public a day earlier. “The visit was to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv under escort by the hosts,” the press release said.

The BIA said that it “does not disclose the activities of its leadership regardless of the lies and insinuations by politicians or media”, adding that it was forced to react “because of attempts to inflict damage on Serbia, the BIA and its director”.

“Due to the lies by certain media that BIA Director Aleksandar Vulin is in an “evidently private visit to Jerusalem”, we want to inform the public that the BIA Director was on an earlier scheduled official one-day visit to the partner service of the state of Israel,” it said.

Dveri, Oathkeepers, the People's Party demanding a parliamentary session on Kosovo (KiM Radio, Beta)

MP and leader of Dveri Bosko Obradovic announced today that Dveri, Oathkeepers, and the People's Party requested a session of the Serbian Parliament on Kosovo, for which they have so far received support from the coalition Nada (Hope), as well as that these parties expect the support of other parliamentary groups.

Obradovic stated at a press conference in the Serbian Parliament that the patriotic parliamentary opposition has been repeating for half a year that the "so-called Franco-German agreement on the recognition of the fake state of Kosovo" should be rejected, which is the beginning of new problems in Kosovo.

"For six months now, we have been asking for an emergency meeting on the subject of the security situation in Kosovo and the above-mentioned agreement, and the government refuses. Unfortunately, the situation has further worsened, we have lost lives, but there is no change in the attitude of the current government towards the parliamentary debate on this topic," Obradovic said.

He added that two points were proposed, the first is the security situation, and the second is the consequences of the Franco-German agreement.

Obradovic stated that the Serbian government will request a session of the UN Security Council on Kosovo, and that the competent committee has not met in the Serbian Parliament.

He also pointed out that he expects the support of other opposition parties, because, as he stated, the state-forming opposition also supported their proposals.

The head of the Oathkeepers parliamentary group, Milica Djurdjevic Stamenkovski, assessed that the institution of the parliament must take a responsible position and announce itself regarding the latest developments in Kosovo.

"Once again, the system has failed and we are once again faced with the fact that the entire state symbolism is personified in one person, one function, one man," she said.

She added that there are currently no conferences of the Government of Serbia, no relevant departments, and no announcements that the parliament will discuss Kosovo.

According to her, the session is an opportunity for the state to show seriousness, that it has institutions, that the Serbian people "do not want to accept the Brussels narrative that we are foreigners on our own land" and an opportunity to finally provide answers as to who is responsible for the current situation in Kosovo.

"We insisted on the blame, above all of the mentor Albin Kurti, on the extremism of the Albanian secessionists, but we cannot ignore the fact that the current government is largely responsible for the disempowerment of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija," she said.

The head of the parliamentary group of the People's Party, Stefan Jovanovic, said that they requested the scheduling of an emergency session because of events "in which it can be seen that the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija are threatened, primarily because of the extremist regime in Pristina led by Albin Kurti".

"The extremist regime of Albin Kurti in Pristina aims to ethnically cleanse the territory of Kosovo of Serbs. For this reason, we believe and demand that the Serbian Parliament be convened urgently, that the public and MPs get an answer to the question of what happened in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija, but also to achieve unity in order to defend the state of Serbia, Serbian churches and monasteries and the Serbian people in the area of Kosovo and Metohija," said Jovanovic.

He assessed that this issue is of first-class state and national importance and that the session was not requested to look for culprits and point fingers, but because they believe that this is an issue in which national unity should be demonstrated.

He repeated the position of the People's Party, that the Parliament of Serbia should reject the Franco-German agreement, as well as that all Serbian institutions that were abolished in 2013 should be re-established.

"Also, we believe that it is necessary for Serbia to launch a diplomatic offensive in which it will present the threat to the Serbian population in Kosovo and Metohija, the Serbian state and the Serbian church, and this means that an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council is required," said Jovanovic.

Sutanovac: I think Vucic did not know what was happening in Banjska (Radio KIM, N1)

My deep conviction is that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic did not know about events in Banjska, because if he did, we would not have waited for a conference until 21.00 in the evening. I think he was also deeply surprised and asked how it is possible what happened, former minister of defence and former president of Democratic Party (DS) Dragan Sutanovac said, Radio KIM reports.

“Everyone was saying that they feel strong pressure and this corresponds with (Albin) Kurti coming to power and becoming Kosovo prime minister. This happened neither with (Hashim) Thaci nor (Ramush) Haradinaj. What I do not understand is that it came to the mind of someone to carry out military action in a moment when we have some initiative, understanding from the EU and US, condemnation of Kurti, (Josep) Borrell who said that Kurti was culprit for it….The one who planned this did not wish good to Serbs in Kosovo, Belgrade, Serbia as a whole”, Sutanovac told N1.

Sutanovac also disagreed with the assessment of US Ambassador in Pristina Jeff Hovenier who said it was about a well trained and equipped group.

“Anyone dealing with special units would say it was not the case. Softwares would prove if that was (Milan) Radoicic (on the video) or not, but the video demonstrates that they had no tactical training at all, they were sitting in the corner in a situation in which they already exchanged fire with some “opponents”, and it seems they have no idea where they are. It is about people convinced they are skilful but in fact they were not”, he said.

Sutanovac added what is needed is a serious international investigation into this case and if he can appeal he would appeal for an international investigation, given that investigators from Kosovo, as he said, are under too strong pressure while they should be independent.

He said that those people were probably moving armament from point A to point B.

“I am certain this was not about any military activity, because if that would be the case, they would not kill one man only (whose loss of life I regret). If you look at videos, all vehicles of Kosovo police were hit, but first vehicles that came were not armoured. Therefore, the idea was not to have conflict”, he opined.

“I can not tell who organised it, but Albin Kurti profited the most from it, and his lobbyists spread the story across the globe. Whoever would lead Serbia at this moment would be “bad guys”. Everything achieved at the green table has been lost in a single day and it looks like it would take years to get it back”, he said.

Rada Trajkovic: How come “mysterious hand, with power on both sides, always saves Radoicic” (NMagazin, Beta, KoSSev)

The president of the European Movement of Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija and politician Rada Trajkovic said that it is unknown "whose mysterious hand saves'' the vice-president of the Serbian List, Milan Radoicic, and get him out of every situation, reported NMagazin.

And that mysterious hand, Trajkovic believes, has power on both the Serbian and Kosovo sides, reported NMagazin.

"No one to ask how come that Milan Radoicic was 'saved' from every situation - from the attempted arrest for the murder of Oliver to the last incident in Banjska - and pulled out of the problem by some mysterious hand that has power on both the Serbian and Albanian sides. And while a powerful hand saves him, his comrades are left in the lurch," said Trajkovic.

As reported by KoSSev, Rada Trajkovic believes that the Serbs are now in a much worse negotiating position than before.

"And the Serbs, being Serbs, once again turn a real strategic defeat into a kind of 'heavenly' victory, and from tears for the victims they do not see the truth: today we are in a far worse situation and negotiating position than before," she said.

What arises as a question, she said, is ''whether Vucic has enough courage to distance himself from his "son" in the north of Kosovo, who now clearly threatens the state's interests, but also, as she said, "leads our youth to a futile death for the sake of interests of some who do not want stability in Serbia".

Opinion

Franz-Lothar Altmann: Additional international forces need to be deployed to northern Kosovo (Demostat)

The connoisseurs of the situation in Kosovo interpret differently for Demostat the escalation of tensions that took place in Banjska in Kosovo last weekend, but the common thread that runs in their assessments is the statement that the whole case with tragic consequences (the blockade of the bridge, the attack of a group of Serbs on the Kosovo police, the murder of a Kosovo police officer and three Serbs, arrests, injuries, the intrusion of armed people in the port of Banjska monastery) is shrouded in a deep veil of mystery. Our interlocutors do not exclude the possibility that the extremely fragile situation in the North will escalate into armed conflicts, since it has again proved that Pristina cannot establish power in the northern part of Kosovo, an area mostly inhabited by Serbs, and some of them state that additional international forces should be deployed in the North.

International

Kosovo Frees Four Serbs after Clashes, Alleges New Serbia Link (BIRN)

Four of eight Kosovo Serbs arrested over the killing of a police officer at the weekend were released due to lack of evidence, prosecutors said on Wednesday, even as authorities produced more of what it said was proof of links between the gunmen and the government of neighbouring Serbia.

As Kosovo declared the dead police officer a national hero, Serbia and Serbs in Bosnia observed a day of mourning for three Serb gunmen killed in the clashes that followed.

Afrim Bunjaku was shot dead in the early hours of Sunday in what police said was an ambush in the northern village of Banjska/Banjske; the gunmen then took cover in the grounds of the local Orthodox monastery.

Police on Wednesday continued to comb the area around the monastery, banning journalists from following them due to the threat from “unexploded devices”.

“We found plenty” of such devices, said Veton Elshani, police deputy director in the north.

Serbia and Kosovo continued to trade blame for the dramatic escalation in a predominantly Serb-populated pocket of northern Kosovo, an area that has long resisted integration with the rest of the majority-Albanian country, a former southern province of Serbia that broke away in a 1998-99 war and declared independence in 2008.

Authorities named the three gunmen who died as Stefan Nedeljkovic, from the northern Kosovo municipality of Zvecan, and Igor Milenkovic and Bojan Mijailovic, both from Leposavic, also in the north.

Kosovo Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla identified Mijailovic as “the bodyguard” of Serbian intelligence chief Aleksandar Vulin when Vulin visited Kosovo in 2013 in his then post of cabinet minister in charge of Kosovo. Vulin’s party, Movement of Socialists, is a junior partner of Serbia’s ruling Progressive Party.

Based on an analysis of photographs, BIRN can confirm that Mijailovic was a Progressive Party activist.