Main Stories 31 October 2011

  • Belgrade and Brussels talk without Pristina (Express)
  • Stefanovic: Some people in the north do not understand the reality (dailies)
  • AAK and Thaçi get closer (Zëri)
  • Government “forgets” to report to Assembly on sovereignty (Koha)
  • Pacolli says Ivory Coast has formalized recognition of Kosovo (Koha)
  • Vetëvendosje activists roll another truck with Serbian goods (dailies)
  • Pristina and LDK defend the Government in silence (Koha)
  • Ganimete Zogaj: EULEX killed my husband (Kosova Sot)
  • A Kosovar woman killed in attack in Afghanistan (dailies)

Kosovo Media Highlights

They talk without Pristina (Express)

Expressreports in the leading front-page story that although the date for dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia has not been set yet, talks are still going on between Serbian and international officials. They are trying to find a solution for the two border crossing points in northern Kosovo. Serbia’s chief negotiator Borko Stefanovic confirmed this but did not give details.

Meanwhile, Kosovo Government officials said no one can talk about the north without them. Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi said no one can talk about this issue on Kosovo’s behalf.

On the other hand, British Ambassador to Belgrade Michael Davenport said on Saturday that the talks between Brussels and Belgrade will ultimately lead to a resumption of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.

Stefanovic: Some people in the north do not understand the reality (dailies)

Several dailies report that the head of the Serbian team in talks with Pristina, Borislav Stefanovic, said that some political leaders in the north of Kosovo are not in touch with reality. In an interview for the daily newspaper of Novi Sad, Dnevnik, he said northern leaders are acting in according to party interests. He added that soon “a solution for the crisis in the north will be found, it will not be ideal and it will not completely fulfill the needs of Serbia”.

AAK and Thaçi get closer (Zëri)

Zëri reports that the silence of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) during these last few months regarding the actions of the Government of Kosovo, appears not to be coincidental. The leaders of the party that were in the past openly critical on Kosovo’s governancehave started negotiations with the governing party to establish a joint coalition. Zëri reports that Blerim Shala and Daut Haradinaj have recently met with PM Hashim Thaçi to discuss the possibilities of a coalition.

Government “forgets” to report to Assembly about sovereignty (Koha)

Koha Ditore reports on the front page that Glauk Konjufca, MP of the Vetëvendosje Movement and Deputy Assembly Speaker, said on Sunday he would use his capacity as deputy speaker at the next meeting of the Assembly Presidency to raise the issue of the government’s failure to report about its unsuccessful efforts to enforce sovereignty throughout the country.

“As this is an irresponsible government, which voluntarily never carries out its obligations vis-a-vis the Assembly, then the only remaining option is for the Assembly Presidency to include this in the agenda of the upcoming session which would be mandatory for the government,” Konjufca was quoted as saying.

Pacolli says Ivory Coast has formalized recognition of Kosovo (Koha)

Koha Ditorereports that the office of Deputy Prime Minister Behgjet Pacolli has announced that Ivory Coast has formalized its recognition of Kosovo’s Independence. According to the office, the West African country sent a verbal note on Saturday.

“Institutions of the Ivory Coast released on Saturday a verbal note of recognition of the independence of the Republic of Kosovo. They became the 84th country to recognize the independent state of Kosovo”, wrote Pacolli’s office on Sunday.

Vetëvendosje activists roll another truck with Serbian goods (dailies)

Koha Ditore reports that Activists of the Vetëvendosje movement pulled a truck carrying Serbian goods off the road Arllat-Malisheve and then rolled it. The action of Vetëvendosje Movement took place at about 1400 hrs, on Sunday, in the first kilometer of this road.

Pristina and LDK defend the Government in silence (Koha)

Koha Ditore reports that the Kosovo Government according to its legislation strategyshould have sent variousdraft laws on property to the Municipality of Pristina on 30 September. However, this did not happen. Neither the Municipality, nor the LDK as the party leading the capital and also the biggest opposition party in the country reactedto the passing of the deadline.

Ganimete Zogaj: EULEX killed my husband (Kosova Sot)

Kosova Sotreports on its front page that Ganimete Zogaj, the wife of witness X, said that EULEX lead to her husband’s death. “Only because of their pressure, he is not among us anymore,” said Agim Zogaj’s widow, in an interview for this daily.

A Kosovar woman killed in attack in Afghanistan (dailies)

Dailies report that a Kosovar citizen was among the nine people killed during an attack in Afghanistan on Saturday. As reported by CNN: “Saturday’s explosion, took the lives of two British civilians, a Kosovo citizen and a Canadian soldier. A vehicle filled with explosives hit an armored NATO bus in the NATO convoy.” The Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is waiting for confirmation from international partners in connection with the case in Afghanistan and until then they cannot publish the present information that they have. Unofficial sources say that the person is Zehije B., 35 years old from the town of Ferizaj.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page

  • Government “forgets” to report to Assembly on sovereignty
  • Ivory Coast formalized recognition of Kosovo
  • Pristina and LDK defend the government in silence
  • Government plans for €92 million loan from IMF
  • Vetëvendosje activists roll over another truck with Serbian goods

Other headlines

  • Cosic: I had the reasonable solution for Kosovo, now it’s too late (2)
  • Stefanovic: Some people in the north don’t understand reality (2)
  • Letter to Fatmir Limaj (5)
  • A Kosovar women killed in attack in Afghanistan (6)

Zëri

Front page

  • Thaçi and AAK get closer
  • Production of biometrical passports begins today
  • The north has “blocked” talks
  • KFOR takes leave, Serbs fortify barricades

Other headlines

  • Ivory Coast formalizes recognition of Kosovo (2)
  • Serbian dream for partition has died (2)
  • Plus: Sao Tome and Tunisia close to recognizing Kosovo (4)
  • Minus: A Kosovar women killed in suicide attack in Kabul (4)

Express

Front page

  • They talk without Pristina
  • Alma’s voice
  • One Kosovar killed in Afghanistan

Other headlines

  • Shkëlzen Maliqi: Where are we in the global crisis? (2)
  • Blerim Shala: Big economic and social downhill (3)
  • The northerners do not understand reality (4)
  • 84th recognition confirmed (5)
  • Dilemmas about the president (5)
  • Thaçi: Dream of Serbia buried (6)
  • Too late for the division of Kosovo (6)
  • Together against cancer (9)
  • Consumers without protection (10)

Kosova Sot

Front page

  • Ganimete Zogaj: EULEX brought death to my husband
  • Importers from Serbia hide behind new companies
  • Editorial: Candidates for president

Other headlines

  • Parties prepare for implementation of the agreements (2)
  • When justice is late (2)
  • Two first Councils in Frankfurt and Istanbul (3)
  • EU conditions with dialogue (3)
  • Peace threatened in the north (3)
  • Ivory Coast recognizes Kosovo officially (4)
  • Stefanovic: Some in the north do not understand the reality (4)
  • Cosic: It is late for my ideas on Kosovo (4)

Epoka e Re

Front page

  • No surprising names, political parties in trouble on whom to candidate for President
  • Ivory Coast formalizes recognition of Kosovo
  • Issuing of biometric passports starts today
  • Citizens also want a vice-President

Other headlines

  • Serbs leaders do not want Konuzin (2)
  • Cosic: Serbs did not listen to me (2)
  • Serbs continue the game with KFOR (3)
  • Vetëvendosje rolls another truck (7)
  • Kosovo a stabile country for investments (9)

Bota Sot

Front page

  • Ivory Coast formalizes recognition of Kosovo’s independence
  • She shines outside the country, colours herself with politics in Kosovo
  • Serbia is tapping phone conversations in Kosovo
  • Is he alive and where is James Berisha?

Other headlines

  • One Albanian women from Kosovo killed in Afghanistan (2)
  • President Jahjaga: The fight with cancer can be won! (3)
  • Police relieve Malisheva from masked looters (9)
  • Vetëvendosje rolls one more truck from Serbia (11)

Disclaimer

This media summary consists of selected local media articles for the information of UN personnel. The public distribution of this media summary is a courtesy service extended by UNMIK on the understanding that the choice of articles translated is exclusive, and the contents do not represent anything other than a selection of articles likely to be of interest to a United Nations readership. The inclusion of articles in this summary does not imply endorsement by UNMIK.