Headlines - 26.12.2012

Thaçi: I am prime minister (Express)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi replied negatively to the offer presented by AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj for joint government. Haradinaj’s condition was receiving the post of prime minister which Thaçi is said to have refused.

In a meeting with President Atifete Jahjaga, Thaçi is quoted to have assured her that her post is safe and that he has no intention of accepting the coalition scenario of Ramush Haradinaj. Thaçi also told Jahjaga that her appointment of AAK deputy leader Blerim Shala to the capacity of dialogue coordinator is legal and not in violation to the Constitution of Kosovo.

Furthermore, in an interview for Bota Sot, Thaçi said he understood the willingness of the AAK to enter the government but noted that the winning party is the one that makes offers and not the fourth-ranking. “I will maintain and foster the trust that citizens of Kosovo have given me when I got nominated as a candidate for prime minister. I will not harm this contract for any price, any post or any political agreement,” said Thaçi.

Jahjaga to step down if reforms are finalized (Koha Ditore)

The paper reports that the President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga is not interested in exercising a full five-year mandate and expects political parties to conclude election and constitutional reform so that she may step down afterwards.

“The President has stated that she will perform the handing over of her duty when all procedures end, whenever this may be so that there is no vacuum left,” said Jahjaga’s spokesperson Arbër Vllahiu. He warned that any premature departure of Jahjaga would lead to extraordinary situations.

Departures from PDK, new party expected (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports on the front page that elections in the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) have created new political factions. PDK secretary general and Parliament Speaker, Jakup Krasniqi, said he would wait for the final election results before he decides whether or not to form a new political party. “I am analyzing this phase of elections and I am seriously thinking about acting, but I have yet to decide on which option. One cannot deny the possibility of forming a new political party. Many things do not depend on me. They depend on some other developments,” Krasniqi said. The paper also notes that elections in PDK have created dissatisfaction in party branches in Malisheva, Prizren, Ferizaj, Viti and in Pristina.

Political analysts against Krasniqi’s new political party (Epoka e Re)

The paper quotes political analysts as saying that PDK secretary general Jakup Krasniqi would make a mistake if he decides to form a new political party. Political analyst Bajrush Morina told the paper that Krasniqi seems to be one of the most honest PDK officials. “We all witnessed Krasniqi speaking out loud against privatization and he was involved in serious clashes with other PDK officials… Krasniqi however is exhausted as a politician,” Morina added.

Publicist Muhamet Mavraj said instead of forming a new political party, Krasniqi should issue a reconciliation statement. “In my opinion, it would be much wiser if he issues a far-sighted statement for the unification of certain political parties. It was obvious that the country does not need such a large number of political parties,” Mavraj said.

Coalition, “escape” from reality (Zëri)

Zëri notes on the front page that the Government of Kosovo is intentionally orchestrating a possible ruling coalition between the PDK and AAK and “secret” meetings between the respective party leaders in order to shift the public’s attention from bigger problems. The issue of the coalition has overshadowed the scandal of passports, the scandal of tapped telephone conversations, talks with Serbia which could lead to a special status for the north, the fleeing of former Kacanik mayor Xhabir Zharku and the fleeing of several convicts from Bllaca 2 case.

Nikolic: There will be no “Republika Srpska” in Kosovo (Epoka e Re)

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic said on Tuesday that the Serbian platform on Kosovo should be approved on 10 January and that “no one knows what will happen on 11 January”. Nikolic told Serbian media that the final text of the platform will be ready on 10 January and that dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade and the agreement for the removal of customs fees for the north will continue up to that date.

Nikolic also said interpretations that the platform foresees Kosovo’s division are not true. “The difference between Republika Srpska and the Serb community in Kosovo is that the first one is part of an internationally recognized state, while the Serb community will be part of a substantial autonomy and not a part of an internationally recognized state, because Serbia could and will never dare recognize Kosovo,” he added.

Names of 62 Albanians buried in the north revealed (Zëri)

An association for missing persons in Kosovo is reported to have secured a document from the Serb police which claims that 42 Albanians, considered as missing since the war, are buried in the Muslim cemetery of Mitrovica while 20 others in a mass grave in Kolludra of Zubin Potok. The 42 persons, reported to have been killed in and around the municipality of Mitrovica, are buried in individual graves.

“This shows there is not much hope left that any of the people kidnapped by the Serb police and army are still alive,” said the association’s head Bajram Çerkini.