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Opposition vows to halt establishment of special court (Kallxo.com)

The opposition parties said they were prepared to use "all the necessary means" to stop the vote on the establishment of special court, which is expected to address war crimes allegations. They say that they are against the special court, because they believe that the former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) fighters were heroic saviors who should not be prosecuted, and vowed on Monday to try to block a vote expected in Parliament.

Special court must be established (Zeri)

Xhavit Haliti, the Deputy President of the Kosovo Assembly and senior member of the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), argues in an opinion piece that the special court, which will address war crimes allegedly committed by former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army, “will put an end to the fabrications and doubts, it will free many people from anxiety and I hope it will confirm the truth on the matter”. Haliti further notes that he understands the motivation behind those who reject the establishment of the special court. “The sensitivities are present and legitimate.

Why does Kosovo need a special court if it has really achieved so much progress (Koha)

Brussels-based correspondent Augustin Palokaj writes in his opinion piece that “it would have been much better if there was a situation where the opponents of the special court would be able to say that Kosovo doesn’t need the special court because the independent and sovereign Kosovo has its own independent and professional court that can address every serious case”.

UNMIK Headlines 8 June

• Opposition to use protests and political actions against special court (Koha)
• Zbogar: Economic development, crucial for Kosovo (dailies)
• Nishani: Albanians are existential factor in Macedonia (Koha)
• Selimi calls for support for Kosovo’s UNESCO membership (Zeri)
• Special war in Presevo Valley (Zeri)

Whom did I kill? (Koha/Epoka)

The Mayor of Skenderaj and former commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Sami Lushtaku, sent an open letter on Thursday to all those working in the judiciary, after he was found guilty for war crimes last week.  In his letter, Lushtaku writes that it was not easy to argue that they he didn’t kill a civilian. “When one does not know his family, and who he is, this means that he doesn’t exist,” Lushtaku writes.  “Therefore, as foreseen by the law, together with my lawyer we will file a complaint.

Will Kosovo Assembly vote on special court next week? (RTK)

Adem Grabovci, the leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) parliamentary group, told RTK that the members of the Kosovo Assembly have yet to see to final version of the draft law on the special court. Grabovci said MPs could vote next week on the constitutional amendments and the legal package for the establishment of the special court. “The PDK has no dilemma whether or not to vote in favour of the court. We are waiting for the final changes to the draft law so that we can proceed with the voting without wasting any more time,” Grabovci said.

US ambassador: Kosovo to establish special court and move forward towards EU integration (Lajmi)

The United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, called on Kosovo institutions to adopt the constitutional changes that pave the way for the establishment of the special court. "Kosovo must vote on special court as soon as possible. This is very important for leaders’ credibility. Addressing the past is the key to moving forward with Euro-Atlantic integration," Power wrote on her Twitter account.

Opposition demands the government to cease any activity related to special court (Koha)

The leaders of the opposition parties through an open letter addressed to the President Atifete Jahjaga, Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli, Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci, demanded the government of Kosovo to immediately cease any activity related to the special court. The letter stressed that the constitutional amendments for the establishment of the special court violate the constitutional provisions regarding the sovereignty of judiciary.

EU: Voting on special court should not be delayed (Kallxo.com)

The European Union officials called on Kosovo authorities not to delay the debate and vote in the Assembly for the establishment of the special court. The European Union Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Maja Kocijancic, told the news site that Kosovo institutions have to set the date for the Assembly session that would address the special court. "It is prerogative of the authorities of Kosovo to appoint the Assembly session and to establish the special court.

Kosovo Assembly will not address special court this week (Telegrafi)

The Constitutional changes that enable the establishment of the special court will not go for approval to the Assembly on its next session (Thursday) this week. After the meeting of the Assembly Presidency, Speaker Kadri Veseli said that the draft submitted to the government for the changes required by the MPs has not yet returned to the Assembly.  "During the last session, MPs have sought changes in the draft. So, when the government sends it to the Assembly, we will proceed further," Veseli said.