Main Stories 14 May2010

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  • EULEX investigations give time to politics (Koha Ditore)
  • Limaj: EULEX has not found anything illegal (dailies)
  • 69 cases under investigation (Express)
  • Civil society urges EULEX to continue fight against corruption (dailies)
  • Thaçi and Tadic to lead talks (Express)
  • Dell, Thaçi condemn public threat against Flaka, Veton Surroi (dailies)
  • Government condemns attack in Zallq (Zëri)
  • Dayton status for Kosovo Serbs in the north (Zëri)

Kosovo Media Highlights

EULEX investigations give time to politics (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that the EU rule of law mission continues to review material collected from raids carried out two weeks ago in six different locations including the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications and the properties of two Ministry officials, Transport minister Fatmir Limaj and head of procurement Nexhat Krasniqi. A team of investigators, prosecutors, interpreters and other officials are working every day on the Limaj case, and also numerous other ones. Although no EULEX official wishes to discuss the possibility of activities being coordinated with politics, other international have said that this period of time is being also used for politics with the purpose of clearing up the Limaj case.

Sources told the daily that representatives of countries friendly with Kosovo attended several meetings with Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, Head of Assembly Jakup Krasniqi and Transport Minister Limaj himself, in which they discussed possible ways of addressing the situation, and suggested to the Kosovars that EULEX must be left to operate freely and independently. Such a meeting took place on Tuesday evening, and consultations with the opposition have been ongoing. Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi on Thursday promised that the Government will not attempt to influence the investigation.

In a separate box under headline “Feith: Investigations without politics”,Koha Ditore writes that the message that the investigation must continue without political interference is also supported by ICO chief Peter Feith. “EULEX has acted based on its mandate, which has been agreed upon by the EU and has been accepted by the Kosovo government. This mandate aims to support Kosovo’s justice institutions, through monitoring and advising these institutions,” said Feith, adding that “the investigation will continue, and we will continue without political interference”.

Limaj: EULEX has not found anything illegal (dailies)

Minister of Transport and Telecommunications Fatmir Limaj has said that EULEX has not found anything illegal since its raid of the Ministry and a number of Limaj’s properties. In an interview withRTK, Limaj emphasized that if it is proven that even onecent belonging to the Ministry has been misused, then he will fully assume responsibility. In his first public appearance since the EULEX raid, Limaj said that he is ready to cooperate with justice, but noted that the investigation into him is a big mistake. “I am ready to cooperate with the judiciary so that light can be shed on the truth,” Limaj said on Thursday.

69 cases under investigation (Express)

Expressreports that EULEX is investigating 69 cases of corruption corruption and financial crime. This was confirmed by EULEX spokesperson Kristina Herodes, who said that the mission had received 39 files from the Anti-Corruption Agency by the end of 2009. During the first four months of this year, investigations have involved senior institutions suspected of causing major damage to the Kosovo budget. “The Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo is at present dealing with 69 cases concerning financial crimes,” Herodes said.

Civil society urges EULEX to continue fight against corruption (dailies)

Fifteen local NGOs have called on the European Union rule of law mission (EULEX) to show results in its fight against corruption, and have said that if the mission backs down now, negative consequences on the rule of law and security in Kosovo would ensue. “Organized crime and corruption are hurting Kosovo’s European perspective and fighting of these phenomena must not be left to the mercy of daily political agendas and personal interests,” said Ramadan Ilazi from FOL. Ylli Hoxha from the Foreign Policy Club expressed concern over the rhetoric of Kosovo institutions towards EULEX actions in fight against corruption. He said the statements of the Kosovo leadership following recent search operations leave room for doubt as to the Government’s sincerity in its commitment to fight organized crime and corruption.

Thaçi and Tadic to lead talks (Express)

Express reports that Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and Serbian President Boris Tadic will lead technical talks between Pristina andBelgrade, and that the U.S., the EU, and possibly evenRussiamay facilitate the dialogue. The international plan to sit Kosovars and Serbs down at one table foresees such talks beginning with a high-level meeting and continuing within the framework of working groups. Sources have said that after consultations with international actors, both Thaçi and Tadic accepted the offer to head these talks. “Prime Minister Thaçi and President Tadic have accepted to lead their delegations, and have solved one of the most important modalities of technical negotiations between Pristina and Belgrade,” said an international official.

Dell, Thaçi condemn public threat against Flaka, Veton Surroi (dailies)

Koha Ditore reports that U.S.Ambassador to Kosovo Christopher Dell and Prime Minister Thaçi condemneda public threat against KOHA founder Veton Surroi and KOHA director Flaka Surroi. Dell called the threat unacceptable, while Prime Minister Thaçi called it an “attack against the democratic values of our country”. Veton and Flaka Surroi were publicly threatened on Thursday in Pristina through name plaques posted on “Rexhep Luci” road. On the name plaques, which imitate the usual street plaques, was written “UDB (Serb Secret Police) Street, Veton and Flaka Surroi”. Residents removed one of the plates, while police intervened to remove the other plaque from the wall.

Government condemns attack in Zallq (Zëri)

Zëri reports that fire was opened on a tent occupied by a Serb returnee family in the village of Zallq, Istog. Police said that no casualties were recorded as the tent was empty at the time of the attack. The government of Kosovo has condemned the attack, calling it an intolerable act. A press release issued by the government also notes that the Republic of Kosovo is a democratic country made up of different ethnic communities and that cooperation between these communities is a crucial value.

Dayton status for Kosovo Serbs in the north (Zëri)

Deputy head of the Social-Democrats in the European Parliament Hannes Swoboda has reportedly said that the Kosovo issue could be resolved if Serbs in the north were given a status similar to that of the Serb community got in Bosnia and Herzegovina obtained through the Dayton Peace Accord. Swoboda added that resolution of the Kosovo crisis should in no way question its independence.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page

  • EULEX investigations give politics time
  • Thaçi returns to restructuring government
  • Gracanica gains a €400,000 donation from Tirana
  • Harun Aliu, fourth victim
  • Dell, Thaçi condemn public threat against Flaka, Veton Surroi

Other headlines

  • Government imposes limitations on PTK (2)
  • Limaj: EULEX has found nothing illegal (2)
  • Simic: Gordon stops suggestion of Kosovo partition (2)
  • Prizren mini-summit in June (4)
  • Swoboda: Status for Kosovo Serbs as that ofBosnia (4)
  • Topi: Independence irreversible, recognitions unstoppable (6)
  • Civil society to EULEX: Do not back down from fighting corruption (6)
  • KFOR and police step up patrols in border strip (7)
  • Head of Public Procurement Agency, Ilir Rama, resigns (9)
  • Ramadani: Johannes the hero (11)
  • Fire opened on tent of Serb returnees (12)

Zëri

Front page

  • Government avoids reorganization
  • Security stepped up around border with Macedonia
  • Investigations, without political interference

Other headlines

  • Kosovo will never discuss status (2)
  • ICJ will not impact status, border (2)
  • Gordon’s visit, a powerful sign (2)
  • Dayton status for Serbs in the north (2)
  • Limaj: EULEX has found nothing illegal (3)
  • Tirana calls on EULEX tofunctionalize northern Kosovo (3)
  • Civil society supports EULEX (4)
  • Government condemns attack in Zallq (4)
  • Legal chaos in the north (5)
  • Assembly discusses public enterprises (5)
  • Bechtel-Enka generates new jobs (6)

Kosova Sot

Front page

  • Limaj: They are wrong
  • Mustafa’s request, debate topic in LDK
  • Editorial: The true crisis

Other headlines

  • Civil society calls for EULEX to show results(3)
  • KFOR reinforces Kosovo-Macedonian border (4)
  • Feith, more economic cooperation with Albania (4)
  • Exhumation procedures begin in Raska (4)
  • Two years after independence, invitations with UNMIK logo changed (5)

Epoka e Re

Front page

  • Not a single cent
  • The others recognized KLA war, some of the Albanians not

Other headlines

  • Independence of Kosovo, irreversible (2)
  • Swoboda: Dayton for Serbs of the north (2)
  • Vershbow: ICJ will not impact status or borders (2)
  • Simic: Gordon put a full stop to the idea of the division of Kosovo (2)
  • Mustafa ignored by Kuqi, “mocked” by Kryeziu (3)
  • Thaçi: The new progress report will be more positive (3)
  • Government clashes with opposition over public enterprises (7)
  • Feith defends EULEX: It acted based on its mandate (7)

Express

Front page

  • Thaçi and Tadic to lead Pristina – Belgrade
  • Investigation without politics
  • Border strengthened
  • Limaj” We will go till the end

Other headlines

  • Minxhozi: Hunger strike and internationals (2)
  • Without impact on status and borders (4)
  • Swoboda: Dayton for Serbs of the North (5)
  • LDK charm (6)
  • Street plate against Koha Group condemned (5)
  • Little thieves (7)
  • Shootings in Zallç village (7)
  • Debate in the new municipalities (9)
  • Embargo for PTK (10)

Lajm

Front page

  • NGO’s pressure
  • ICJ does not undo independence

Other headlines

  • Sejdiu: Kosovo will never talk about the status (2)
  • The law on labor has been processed to the assembly (3)
  • For the case of Koha group react unions of journalist (5)
  • Concession of the airport non-transparent (7)

Bota Sot

Front page

  • Internationals guarantee together with the map, Serb crime

Other headlines

  • Sejdiu: Kosovo will never talk about the status (3)
  • 11 non governmental organizations support the rule of law (9)
  • Government officials sure that the progress report will be positive (10)
  • Ten companies open new working places (14)

InfoPress

Front page

  • Not a cent misused

Other headlines

  • Trade with EU, it is expected a positive note (3)
  • Swoboda: Republic for the north (3)
  • Condemned degenerating act against Flaka and Veton Surroi (3)
  • 200 new jobs to be opened (6)

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.