UNMIK Headlines 31 July
Groups of Serbs threaten to return barricades in the north (Koha)
The paper reports on the front page that groups of Serbs are threatening to return barricades in the northern part of Kosovo, thus endangering the freedom of movement and the implementation of the Brussels agreement between prime ministers Thaci and Dacic.
The transport of EULEX and Kosovo police officers to the Jarinje border crossing point on Tuesday was more difficult after Serbs blocked the Ibër road with trucks and sand excavators. EULEX spokesman Blerim Krasniqi did not want to comment on the latest developments in the north.
Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi said the latest incidents are isolated cases which will not stop efforts to establish rule of law and to implement the Brussels agreement.
Sources from northern Mitrovica told the paper that COMKFOR Volker Halbauer, accompanied by deputy commander of allied forces for Europe, Richard Shirreff, visited the police station in northern Mitrovica on Tuesday afternoon. According to sources, the two military leaders asked the heads of the police station to be responsible and implement the Brussels agreement and assist EULEX in performing its duties in northern Kosovo.
EULEX officials on Tuesday asked for assistance from police commanders in the north in securing the movement of the EULEX escort. Sources told the paper that police commanders in the north hesitated to provide security for the escort.
CDHRF: Investigate the police commander in the north! (Tribuna)
After the recent developments in northern Kosovo, especially after the attack against EULEX vehicles, the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) has called on the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Kosovo Police Director to launch immediate measures against Kosovo Police commander in the north, Nenad Djuric. CDHRF argues that Djuric’s mistakes have created insecurity among the residents of the north, especially Albanians. “On July 29, when EULEX police needed his assistance in arresting Zarko Veselinovic, Djuric did not agree to provide them with assistance. With such actions, Djuric is endangering the territory of Kosovo and the non-Serb population, especially Albanians, are feeling threatened,” CDHRF said in a press release.
Jahjaga “freezes” Amnesty Law (Tribuna)
The Office of Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga is communicating with the Constitutional Court after it received the “order” not to decree the Law on Amnesty. Jahjaga’s office has sent the communication with the Constitutional Court to Parliament and asked for the Amnesty Law not to be published in the Official Gazette.
“The Office of the President of the Republic has notified the Kosovo Parliament about the communication with the Constitutional Court about the Amnesty Law, which has been disputed by some members of parliament,” Jahjaga’s spokesman told the paper.
Senior state officials, who preferred to remain anonymous, that the amnesty law has created great confusion and that Western diplomats working in Pristina are now working on the matter. “This case can very easily produce consequent violations of the constitution, therefore, broad-based consultations are being held on every action,” the source said.
Another source told the paper that the whole situation was created after the Constitutional Court asked President Jahjaga not to decree the law while the court was reviewing it.
Government officials meanwhile said the confusion can pose a threat to the agreement between Thaci and Dacic. “Politically, this is damaging the government in the implementation of the agreement with Serbia. The Amnesty Law is seen as the key for the implementation of the agreement, because without pardoning Serbs in the north they will not take part in local elections,” the source added.
Serbia doesn’t relinquish parallel institutions (Tribuna)
Apart from a press conference upon his arrival in Pristina, Belgrade’s liaison officer Dejan Pavicevic has remained almost invisible from the time he took office whereas the head of Serbian Office for Kosovo Aleksandar Vulin remains centerpiece to Serbia’s activities in Kosovo. Serbia has been asked to disband the office for Kosovo and transfer competencies to the liaison office but the office has not been closed down. In addition, Belgrade has also not closed the parallel municipalities and still keeps active district administrations such as that of Prizren, Peja and Pristina.
Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi told the paper that the Kosovo side expects the Serbian Office for Kosovo to become unnecessary. “In time that office will become unnecessary”, he said adding that all parallel institutions in Kosovo need to be dissolved.
Elections, chance for institutional legalization of Serbs in the north (dailies)
Rada Trajkovic, leader of the United Serb List in Kosovo’s Parliament, told FoNet news agency that she expects Serbs in the northern part of Kosovo will view upcoming local elections as a chance for institutional legalization and that they will take part. “The option of not participating in elections leads to independence,” Trajkovic said. “The greatest courage is for Serbs to take part in these elections”.
Trajkovic also said that the association of Serb majority municipalities represents the only opportunity for the institutional legalization of Serbs within the Kosovo system and that it would be accepted by the international community and institutions in Pristina. “This process has strategic importance for maintaining the influence of Serbs in Kosovo, both north and south of River Ibër.”
Election campaign could be shortened from 30 days to 15 days (Koha)
Kosovo’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has adopted the operational plan according to which the campaign for local elections will begin on October 3 and end on November 2. The timeline can be changed in September when the draft law on election reforms is expected to be sent to parliament. The draft law foresees a 150day election campaign, in accordance with preferences of parliamentary parties except for the Vetëvendosje Movement.
Montenegro opens its embassy in Pristina (dailies)
Koha Ditore reports that Montenegro opened its Embassy in Kosovo. Kosovo Foreign Minister welcomed Radovan Milanic, who handed over his credentials in the position of officer in charge in the Embassy of Montenegro in Kosovo. Hoxhaj said Kosovo would soon appoint its representative to Montenegro and this marks a very important moment for relations between the two neighboring countries and the functionalizing of diplomatic missions in both capitals.