UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 14, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: The Iber bridge must be opened, it is not a matter of discussion (media)
Kurti informs COMKFOR about works and results of report on Iber Bridge (media)
KFOR on Iber bridge: Unilateral actions can create tensions (RTK)
Hovenier: Opening Iber bridge could endanger American soldiers (RFE, media)
Durmishi: The bridge is stable, durable and functional (RTK)
Haradinaj: Anyone who endangers U.S. soldiers in Kosovo will be treated as an enemy, will be in prison or will run away and hide (media)
Osmani talks with head of CEC about preparations for date of new elections (media)
Trepca miners to protest in front of government building on Thursday (media)

Serbian Language Media:

KFOR calls for restraint, says decision on Ibar River Bridge to be made in dialogue (Kosovo Online, media)
Petkovic: Kurti only wants war and chaos; I hope this is clear to everyone (Kosovo Online, media)
Gogic: By opening Ibar Bridge Kurti would get into conflict with international community (N1, Kosovo Online)
Hovenier: Opening the bridge could endanger American soldiers in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
Dacic: “Haxhiu’s monstrous statement glorifies terrorism” (N1, BETA, KoSSev, media)
Leposavic mayor hosts “Illyrian Eagles” promoting “Greater Albania”, says they brought warmth to our “red-and-black municipality” (KoSSev)
Serbian Orthodox Church in Lipljan robbed (KoSSev)

International Media:

U.S. Ambassador Says Partnership With Kosovo 'Not What We Would Hope' (RFE)
State Department Tells The Pavlovic Today: U.S. Does Not Support Any Moves To Change Mitrovica Bridge Status In Kosovo (The Pavlovic Today)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti: The Iber bridge must be opened, it is not a matter of discussion (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti stated on Tuesday during the inauguration of the works at Prizren – Tetova road that the Iber bridge in Mitrovica must be opened. According to him, the issue of the bridge is an issue of Kosovo, which was concluded as far as Brussels is concerned in 2016-2017. He said that they are waiting for the report on the durability of this bridge.

"We want the free movement of citizens, the rule of law, peace and security. From our point of view, what we need to wait for is the report on the stability of the bridge. Once we have to wait for the report, when we read the report, we will assess how stable the bridge is. I haven't seen it yet. It's not a matter of discussion, it's a matter of opening. In 2016, it was said that the bridge should be opened on January 20, 2017. It is neither January, nor 2017 now, we are in August 2024", stated Kurti.

Kurti informs COMKFOR about works and results of report on Iber Bridge (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met with the Commander of KFOR, Ozkan Ulutas. They discussed the issue of opening the Iber Bridge for traffic, "as a fair, necessary and useful thing".

In the announcement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, it is stated that Kurti informed Ulutas about the general works that are taking place on the main bridge over the Iber River and the results of the preliminary report of the assessment of the stability of the bridge.

"Within the necessary steps taken by the government to open the bridge, he also recalled the public meeting with the citizens of North Mitrovica, organised on August 8 by the municipality of North Mitrovica, where citizens from the Serb community, non-governmental organisations, and representatives from the central and local level as well as KFOR and EULEX were present. The Prime Minister expressed his conviction that freedom of movement and the rule of law, peace and security are all possible together and required", the announcement states.

The position of the KFOR Commander is not mentioned there, while the announcement continues with the other topic that has been discussed, the confrontation with the fires and the help that KFOR could offer in extinguishing them.

The first deputy prime minister, Besnik Bislimi, the minister of Local Government Administration, Elbert Krasniqi and the deputy director general of the Kosovo Police, Fehmi Hoti, also participated in this meeting.

KFOR on Iber bridge: Unilateral actions can create tensions (RTK)

The NATO-led KFOR mission reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to contribute to a secure environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo at all times and impartially, under its mandate.

Through a press release, KFOR reiterated that it is present in the entire territory of Kosovo and warned that the commander will not hesitate to act in response to developments in terms of security.

"We have a visible and flexible presence throughout Kosovo and the KFOR commander has the authority to adapt it as needed and will not hesitate to act in response to any significant security developments and in line with our UN mandate", the statement says.

"KFOR also maintains a fixed presence at the main bridge over the Iber river in Mitrovica and conducts regular patrols in the surrounding areas. We reaffirm that any decision regarding the bridge over the Iber River must be taken through political dialogue and in a coordinated manner. In this regard, we continue to fully support the EU-mediated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

It is essential that all actors refrain from unilateral statements and actions that could create tensions. This is the key to sustainable security throughout Kosovo - for the benefit of all people and communities - and for regional stability", KFOR emphasised.

In the communiqué, among other things, it is stressed that KFOR will continue to coordinate closely with all counterparts, including the Kosovo Police and EULEX.

"KFOR has good resources and is well positioned to take all the necessary measures to continue fulfilling its mission mandated by the UN", concluded the communique of the peacekeeping mission.

Hovenier: Opening Iber bridge could endanger American soldiers (RFE, media)

The U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, has stated in an interview for Radio Free Europe that there is a real risk associated with the opening of the bridge in Mitrovica at this time, which could affect the safety of NATO soldiers, including American ones.

"We believe that this risk increases the threat, the possibility of violence and other problems, both for the local community and for NATO soldiers, including American soldiers who are working to ensure peace and security in Kosovo. We take very seriously any action that may affect the security and protection of American soldiers working to support Kosovo", the American ambassador emphasised.

"Our hope is that the government will listen to this and take these concerns into account," he added.

See the complete interview here: https://tinyurl.com/hyvuvavh

Durmishi: The bridge is stable, durable and functional (RTK)

The Deputy Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Hysen Durmishi, has announced that they have received the report on the stability of the Iber Bridge.

"We have just received the report from the test of the bearing capacity of the structure of the existing bridge over the Iber river. The report clearly concludes that the structure of the bridge over the Iber river is stable and functional and as such can be used for exploitation without any load restrictions", wrote Durmishi.

He announced that the report they received is preliminary, and that after it they are waiting for the final report, in order to have the final results on the functionality of the Iber bridge in terms of the technical aspect.

Haradinaj: Anyone who endangers U.S. soldiers in Kosovo will be treated as an enemy, will be in prison or will run away and hide (media)

The leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Ramush Haradinaj, reacted after the interview of the U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, who said that the opening of the Ibri Bridge could endanger American soldiers. Haradinaj has said that anyone who endangers American soldiers in Kosovo is against Kosovo, and "will be treated as an enemy of Kosovo".

"Therefore, he will either be in prison, or he will run away and hide from Kosovo! No matter what nationality he has and what duty he has, he-she-they will be punished! P. S. All of you who have state responsibility, if you find yourself here, after the (even public) American appeal for the government of Kosovo, know that you will not have the protection of the cloak that wrapped you temporarily!", wrote Haradinaj.

Osmani talks with head of CEC about preparations for date of new elections (media)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, spoke on Tuesday with the chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC), Kreshnik Radoniqi, regarding the preparations and consultations that are being made to set the date of the regular parliamentary elections, the Presidency announced.

"The Chairman of the CEC informed President Osmani about the issues that, according to the CEC, are important to take into account during the evaluations about setting the date of the elections", the announcement states.

“In this meeting, it was also discussed about voting from the diaspora and the steps that should be taken so that "this right is realised as defined in the new law”.

"The President stressed the importance of making the necessary arrangements for easy access for people with special needs on election day," the Presidency said.

Trepca miners to protest in front of government building on Thursday (media)

The Independent Union of Miners of Trepca has announced that the miners of Trepca will protest on Thursday in front of the government of Kosovo with the request that they be given their salaries, unpaid for almost three months. They said that their situation is difficult and they will use the peaceful protest as a democratic means to seek "bread for the mouth".

"The non-execution of wages has sent the miners into a situation of crisis for existence, therefore as a means of seeking bread for themselves and their families, the protest have reminded as a legal and democratic means", says the Union.

The protest will start from Zahir Pajaziti square in Pristina to the government builidng on Thursday, August 15, from 12:00 hrs.

Serbian Language Media

KFOR calls for restraint, says decision on Ibar River Bridge to be made in dialogue (Kosovo Online, media)

In a statement issued late last evening KFOR urged all actors to refrain from unilateral declarations and actions that could create tensions, which is crucial for lasting security across Kosovo, for the benefit of all people and communities, as well as for regional stability, Kosovo Online portal reported.

"We have a visible and flexible presence across Kosovo, and the KFOR Commander has the authority to adjust it as appropriate and will not hesitate to act in response to any relevant security developments in accordance with our UN mandate", KFOR said in a statement.

This Mission also pointed out that it maintains a constant presence on the bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica and conducts regular patrols in the vicinity. "We reaffirm that any decision regarding the bridge over the Ibar River must be made through political dialogue and in a coordinated manner. In this regard, we continue to fully support the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina", the statement added.

KFOR reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to contributing to a safe and secure environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo at all times and impartially, under the long-standing UN mandate, and will continue to work closely with all counterparts, including the Kosovo police and EULEX, as the first and second security responders, respectively. "KFOR is well-resourced and well-positioned to take all necessary measures to continue fulfilling its UN mandated mission", the statement also said.

Petkovic: Kurti only wants war and chaos; I hope this is clear to everyone (Kosovo Online, media)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic said last night that statements of Kosovo Prime Minister, Albin Kurti that the bridge over the Ibar River must be opened and there is no room for discussion on this topic clearly show that “he only seeks war and provocation of conflicts with far-reaching consequences”, Kosovo Online portal reported. "I hope it is now clear to everyone, especially the international community, who Albin Kurti is - a Balkan arsonist who yearns for conflict and the creation of chaos in the region", Petkovic said in a written statement.

He added Kurti has never been interested in dialogue, especially not in the Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM), because his policy is, as he said, for an ethnically pure Kosovo, cleansed of Serbs. Petkovic also pointed out that the only thing Kurti has done over the past two years, and continues to do, are violent and unilateral moves aimed at expelling and persecuting the Serbian people from Kosovo.

"The unilateral opening of the bridge is, from a security perspective, an extremely dangerous move by which Kurti aims to provoke conflict. Even on the day when U.S. officials, as well as other Quint members, the EU, and KFOR in recent days, clearly warn that the issue of the bridge can only be resolved through dialogue in Brussels and in no other way, Kurti is blatantly trampling on dialogue and the idea of normalisation", Petkovic said. Whether Kurti is acting alone in this or actually has tacit support will be best revealed by the issue of the bridge, he added.

"Kurti can make whatever decisions he wants, but as long as KFOR is physically present at the bridge and does not allow it to be opened, the bridge will remain closed. Therefore, we can only rely on KFOR to adhere to its publicly stated commitment and not allow the implementation of Kurti's insane and dangerous war plans", Petkovic said.

Gogic: By opening Ibar Bridge Kurti would get into conflict with international community (N1, Kosovo Online)

Insistence on opening the Ibar River Bridge for vehicles brings Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti into a conflict with international community, given that the bridge is guarded by KFOR soldiers, and KFOR clearly said they will not move, political analyst Ognjen Gogic told N1, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Gogic said many connect the bridge opening issue with the start of a campaign, ahead of elections which would take place in Kosovo beginning of the next year, the latest. According to him, this issue polarises the political spectrum in Kosovo.

Adding that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will have a meeting with Quint representatives in Belgrade today, and that Quit previously had explicitly said they are against bridge opening at this moment, Gogic opined that the bridge issue would most probably be the topic of this meeting, given that it depends upon Quint whether the bridge would open or not. He said yesterday an Albanian from southern part of Mitrovica attempted to cross the bridge with his vehicle but was turned back by Italian Carabinieri, and that Serbian women from northern Kosovo handed over the letter to Carabinieri for the KFOR Commander Major General Ozkan Ulutas urging not to open the bridge.

He recalled that over the last three years Pristina undertook many unilateral acts and every time Albin Kurti managed to get what he wanted – ID cards, registration plates, dinar and so on. “{…} he managed to abolish what he wanted to abolish, but targets back then were Serbian institutions. This time he comes into conflict with the international community”, Gogic said.

Speaking about fears and concerns of the Serbian community, Gogic said many fear September when children start going to schools. “The biggest fear Serbs in Kosovo now have, if the bridge opening is prevented they may also prevent other things (from happening). If the bridge issue is done (opened), then schools will follow, to put it simply. That is why they are afraid what will happen to the most vital issues for them, and that is education and health, and they are afraid those would come (on the agenda), after the bridge (opening)”, he said.

Hovenier: Opening the bridge could endanger American soldiers in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

U.S. Ambassador in Pristina, Jeffrey Hovenier, said in an interview with Radio Free Europe (RFE) that there is a real risk associated with the opening of the bridge in Mitrovica at this moment, which could affect the safety of NATO soldiers, including American troops, Kosovo Online portal reported. He emphasised that this could lead to violence and create other problems, and that discussions about this have been ongoing with the Kosovo Government for months.

Q: Why is it not a good time to open the bridge in Mitrovica, which both Kosovo and Serbia agreed upon in Brussels?

I’m really glad you asked that question because this is an issue which I believe is misunderstood. The United States firmly believes that this is not the time to reopen the bridge to vehicular traffic. Let me clarify one thing. We believe that the bridge should ultimately be open to vehicular traffic, and that is, as you mentioned, part of the EU-mediated dialogue and an agreement was reached on that. But we have asked the Government (of Kosovo) not to proceed at this time, the Ambassador said, the portal added.

International Media

U.S. Ambassador Says Partnership With Kosovo 'Not What We Would Hope' (RFE)

The U.S. Ambassador to Pristina has expressed concerns about the partnership between the United States and Kosovo, especially regarding the government's handling of issues related to Kosovo Serb minority.

In an interview with RFE/RL's Kosovo Service, the Ambassador, Jeffrey Hovenier, said "the quality of our partnership is not what we would hope it would be on some of these issues" and that the U.S. administration had been "challenged" by Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and his government.

In recent weeks there has been an uptick of tensions in the Serb-majority north of Kosovo, with ethnic Serbs protesting against the government's plan to reopen a controversial bridge and the closure of Serbian post office branches. Ethnic Serbs are protesting the government's plan to reopen to vehicular traffic a bridge in the northern city of Mitrovica, which separates ethnic Serb and Albanian communities and has been a flashpoint for violence in the past.