Main Stories 7March 2011

Main Stories 7March 2011

Main Stories 7March 2011

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  • Ashton: Begin from reality (Koha Ditore)
  • Dell: Don’t play someone else’s game (Kosova Sot)
  • Vetëvendosje protests against negotiations (dailies)
  • Stefanovic: The north is special (Express)
  • They want Russia in the talks (Express)
  • Vetëvendosje announces proposal of another draft resolution (Koha Ditore)
  • Steinberg reconfirms US support for Kosovo (Epoka e Re, Zëri)
  • UNMIK’s comeback (Zëri)
  • Attacks in the north, with elements of terrorism (Koha Ditore)
  • Bullets from Pasjan (Express)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Ashton: Begin from reality (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore in the front page carries an interview with the EU High Representative and Deputy President of European Commission, Catherine Ashton. She is convinced that the dialogue with Serbia cannot be damaging for Kosovo, while she says that her hopes are that the talks will help to improve the lives of ordinary citizens and, at the same time, will bring Kosovo and Serbia closer to the European Union.

However, she says that everything depends from the commitment and flexibility which both sides will bring to the table of the dialogue. In the interview, Ashton further says that the guarantee for Kosovo that the dialogue will not damage constitutional order is Kosovo’s participation in the discussion table. “The dialogue didn’t start yet, it is very early to talk about the specifics of difficulties of issues at this stage, but any issue which are you going to discuss should start from the reality. What is important at the end is improving the lives for ordinary people, ensuring that they have working places, that their rights are protected, that they are able to move freely and to move forward with their lives,” said Ashton for Koha Ditoreon the eve of the start of the Pristina–Belgrade dialogue.

Dell: Don’t play someone else’s game (Kosova Sot)

Ahead of the start of Pristina-Belgrade talks, US Ambassador to Kosovo Christopher Dell wrote an editorial for the paper where he stressed that Kosovo’s independence and sovereignty are established facts and that both Kosovo and Serbia are equal, independent countries. “Both of you will pursue eventual membership in European Union,” said Dell. He noted that today’s debate at the Assembly on the process of dialogue gives the opportunity to underline the unity of Kosovo ahead of talks and show country’s commitment to fully use the dialogue for strengthening of Kosovo’s position in the region. “Despite many people fearing entry into this process, United States of America believe Pristina-Belgrade dialogue will make Kosovo a stronger country, more capable to be economically and diplomatically engaged throughout the region,” said Dell.

Vetëvendosje protests against negotiations (dailies)

Activists of Vetëvendosje just before the start of the commemoration gathering for Jashari family unveiled a large banner in front of the national theatre bearing the slogan, “As a soldier of the Kosovo Liberation Army, I swear I will fight for the liberation of Albanian occupied lands and their unification.” The move was aimed as a sign of protest against the upcoming talks between Pristina and Belgrade. Kreshnik Ahmeti from Vetëvendosje said fallen heroes should not be remembered only by visiting their graves on the Heroes Day on 6 March as the freedom fighters had sworn to liberate Albanian lands.

Stefanovic: The north is special (Express)

Express reports that in an interview for Serbian daily newspaper Alo, Borislav Stefanovic, head of the Serbian delegation for talks with Kosovo, said that the process of talks will at one point include the status of Kosovo too.

“Talks will include all open issues and we will try to solve problems of the people in Kosovo. Bearing in mind that we and Pristina have different views on Kosovo’s status and that this burdens our relations, this issue will in a way come up during the negotiations. One cannot say these negotiations are technical if they touch sovereignty but also the lives of people in Kosovo,” Stefanovic said.

Stefanovic said he is willing to talk to Pristina about all topics, including the issue of changing borders. “Different solutions will be on the table. We are ready to talk about everything.”

Stefanovic also talked about Belgrade’s position on the northern part of Kosovo. “The situation in the north has many elements that make it special in relation to the position of other Serbs in Kosovo. In this respect, maybe we should have a special approach toward this problem.”

They want Russia in the talks (Express)

Express reports that Serb National Council for the north of Kosovo has requested that except for the EU and USA officials, UN and Russian representatives also participate in the talks between Pristina and Belgrade. “President Tadic and Serbian Government have to insist on their presence by all cost, because only the active participation of UN and Russian Federation can prevent the anti-Serbian plan of Washington, Brussels and Pristina,” says the statement of this council.

Vetëvendosje announces proposal of another draft resolution (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that the head of the Vetëvendosje parliamentarian group Visar Ymeri said for the newspaper on Sunday that in essence,the Vetëvendosje draft resolution will have the request that the Assembly asks the Government to stop negotiations with Serbia. “There are chances that Vetëvendosje movement will present a text proposal for a resolution which would be approved by the Kosovo Assembly in order to encourage it to approve a resolution aimed at requesting the Government to stop these negotiations it is so much rushing to start,” said Ymeri. The debate starts one day before the start of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue in Brussels, while the Assembly is expected to approve a resolution which is reported to have been prepared by the ruling parties, the function of which is to place the framework of Kosovar side in the talks with Serbia.

Steinberg reconfirms US support for Kosovo (Epoka e Re, Zëri)

Kosovo delegation made of Deputy Prime Minister Edita Tahiri and Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj met US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Countryman as well as other US officials during their visit to Washington. According to Tahiri, the Kosovo side in the meeting with Steinberg presented the vision and the programme of the new Government for developing and strengthening the independent state of Kosovo. Steinberg expressed support for Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic future and reconfirmed the US stance that independence of Kosovo is a closed issue and presents a new reality in the Balkans.

UNMIK’s comeback (Zëri)

The paper writes that UNMIK has started to exercise its authority in Kosovo after a two-year pause. Recently, UNMIK appointed its representative to CEFTA while with the assistance from the Special Chamber of the Kosovo Supreme Court, the mission is also finalizing the process of appointing international administrator for liquidation of Trepça mine. In addition, UNMIK’s presence is also necessary in the privatization process as the Privatisation Agency of Kosovo cannot take over the shares of a failed enterprise without UNMIK’s consent. Economy experts say this is a bad signal for the future of the Republic of Kosovo. According to them, UNMIK’s comeback seriously damages the weakened image of Kosovo and ‘drowns’ economy sector.

Attacks in the north, with elements of terrorism (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that political analysts and politicians view the violent acts of the last couple of months in the northern part of Kosovo as activities that go beyond criminal actions and contain elements of terrorism.

“Attacks in the last couple of months contain elements of terrorism, because they represent extreme violence aimed at destabilizing the country,” security expert Agim Musliu told the paper. Arguing his position, Musliu highlighted methods that are used by extremists in the north, starting with attacks against civilian and official vehicles, threats, kidnappings, explosions and up to political assassinations.

Interior Affairs Minister Bajram Rexhepi on the other hand disagrees with the claim that these are terrorist attacks. “Terrorism is a broad notion. But they are certainly criminal acts,” Rexhepi was quoted as saying. “These structures [in the north] want to leave the impression that the state of Kosovo is not present in the north. EULEX and KFOR are determined to maintain their presence in the north and prove that such claims are only illusions,” he added.

Bullets from Pasjan (Express)

Express reports in the leading front-page story that the father of 13 year-old Leutrim Musliu who was shot on broad daylight in Uglar, Gjilan, claims that Serbs from Pasjan killed his son. Police have arrested a Serb as a suspect. Residents of Uglar believe that the attack was organized and that even hand grenades were used. The paper also notes that no one from central institutions went to pay condolences to the Musliu family.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page

Ashton: Start from reality

Assembly before fait accompli for dialogue with Serbia

Vetëvendosje indicates proposal of another draft resolution

Attacks in the north with elements of terrorism

Bechtel-Enka marches faster than planned

Frightening climate for businesses in Kosovo

Other headlines

Plus of the week: Unblocking of funds (2)

Minus of the week: Arid Uka (2)

Jasharajs call for unity among leaders (3)

Serb from Pasjan arrested as suspect for killing 13 year-old Albanian (5)

Zëri

Front page

Assembly, just for the sake of it

Jasharajs call for unity

U.S. supports dialogue

Until when will Trepça be ignored?

Other headlines

Kelmendi: Jerusalem (2)

Assembly to discuss on dialogue (2)

Hyseni: Improve Kosovo’s image (2)

Serbs want Russia in talks (2)

Vukcevic concerned over EULEX’s passivity (4)

Every tenth politician is a millionaire (4)

UNMIK’s return (6)

Kosova Sot

Front page

  • Don’t play someone else’s game
  • Resolution fires up the debate
  • Jashari: Leave aside personal grudges
  • The father of the killed 14 year-old says he was killed in an ambush
  • Editorial: 7 March

Other headlines

  • Steinberg reconfirms US support for Kosovo (2)
  • CEC presents shortcomings of elections (2)
  • Vetëvendosje: Heroes did not negotiate (4)
  • Serbs from the north want Russia to take part in talks (4)
  • Belgrade attempts to take control over Kosovo air traffic (4)
  • Petrovic: Negotiations will not challenge decentralisation in the north (4)
  • Former Governor Rexhepi under investigation but without indictment (14)

Epoka e Re

Front page

  • Assembly decides
  • Tahiri: There will be no talks on status or partition
  • Jashari family appeals for unity

Other headlines

  • Serbs from the north want Russia’s participation in talks (2)
  • Vetëvendosje: Heroes did not negotiate (3)
  • Steinberg reconfirms US support for Kosovo (5)
  • Stefanovic: More important issue, lives of Serbs in Kosovo (5)
  • Vllasi: Kosovo-Serbia talks, discussions between states (5)
  • Child killed (10)

Express

Front page

Bullets from Pasjan

The Assembly’s word

The north is special

Prekaz unites them

Shala: The threat of talks with Serbia

Maliqi: Dialogue

Other headlines

Vukcevic concerned over lack of investigations by EULEX (4)

Serbs want Russia in talks (5)

The opposition is divided (5)

Pacolli looking for advisors (6)

Lajm

Front page

  • Prekaz changed our history
  • Salaries with raise before 11 April

Other headlines

  • Harsh discussions (2)
  • Prekaz changed our national history (3)
  • Continuous political noise and attacks against Dell (5)
  • USA: Independence done job (6)
  • Daxner: Uka and the religion should not be connected with each other (7)
  • Serb killed the 14 year old boy (12)

Bota Sot

Front page

  • Before a dangerous precedent, chaos and state unsustainability
  • President Pacolli: In Prekaz was sealed independence of Kosovo
  • North of Kosovo, challenge of talks with Serbia

Other headlines

  • Jasharis bright chapter of Albanian history (3)
  • Fatmir Limaj did not accepted to be head of PDK’s parliamentary group (6)
  • Vetëvendosje: Heroes did not negotiate (7)
  • Status is a done job, dialogue about technical issues (9)
  • The road of nation will be build one year ahead of the schedule (10)

Infopress

Front page

  • The Government endangers millions of Euros
  • Divided about the talks
  • Heroes did not negotiate

Other headlines

  • Serbs want Russia in the talks (2)
  • The heads of the state, tributes in Prekaz (4)
  • Religion, Kosovo and the attempted attack should not be connected (4)
  • Agriculture to be discussed in Brussels (6)
  • The fund to be returned in the Kosovar market (7)

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.

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