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27 March 2012
Fuele is coming empty-handed (Zëri)
Prime Minister clashes with Vetëvendosje (Koha Ditore)
Several MEPs request footnote for Kosovo in EP (Koha Ditore)
AAK: Serbia persecutes Kosovars, Thaçi Government remains silent (Koha )
People and money that bought Grand Hotel under investigation (Koha Ditore)
President with a Council (Epoka e Re)
Surroi: Air strikes changed history, not only in Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
Jarinje open for commercial goods (Zëri)
Mufti Tërnava: Islamic extremists should not be allowed to enter Kosovo
(Koha)
Kosovo Media Highlights
Fuele is coming empty-handed (Zëri)
Zëri reports that the feasibility study is “launched” by a political statement, a
statement similar to how the visa liberalization process was started. The EU
Enlargement Commission is coming in Kosovo to do this. If the study results are
positive, then Kosovo will be able to start negotiations on the Stabilization
Association agreement with the EU, one very serious step in bilateral relations
between Kosovo and the regional body. However, EU enlargement experts and
political experts say that Stefan Fuele is coming empty-handed.
Prime Minister clashes with Vetëvendosje (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that Prime Ministe Hashim Thaçi and Deputy Liburn Aliu raised
their voices against each other on Monday during the meeting of the Parliamentary
Commission for Agriculture while discussing the draft law on the Cultural Center of
Prizren. It occurred after Thaçi requested the Head of the Parliamentary Commission
to end the speech of Deputy Aliu, who left the meeting in protest for the treatment.
“During the presentation of facts, Thaçi was telling the Head of the Commission to
stop my speech. He also was interested if there was anything in the regulation which
would stop me from speaking. Then I turned to him, I told him that we are doing the
work of the Commission and that we are deputies and you are here as a guest in the
session of the Commission so you have no right to interrupt”, said Deputy Aliu. The
Head of the ICO, Pieter Feith, rejected accusations that he’s pressured the work of the
Commission. The draft law for the Historic Center of Prizren will be put forward for
review in the regular session of Kosovo Assembly.
Several MEPs request footnote for Kosovo in EP (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that Reporteur for Kosovo in the European Parliament, Ulrike
Lunacek, proposed a few amendments to the resolution the European Parliament is
putting forward to the International Olympic Committee to allow Kosovar athletes to
participate in the Olympic Games in London. On Wednesday the topic will discussed
in the regular session of European Parliament, while on Thursday it will be voted on.
The resolution, already seen by Koha Ditore, received proposed amendments from
three deputies from the Group Socialists and Democrats. They requested that after the
name of Kosovo the footnote be used (not with Dr. Edita Tahiri’s snowflake, but with
a number 1) to explain that this is without prejudgment towards the stances on the
status of Kosovo and in compliance with resolution 1244, and with the opinion of the
ICJ on the Declaration of independence of Kosovo. If this amendment passes this
would mark a big defeat for the supporters of Kosovo, because it would lead to
pressure on the European Parliament not to treat Kosovo as an independent state.
Therefore the supporters of independence are expected to mobilize and reject this
amendment.
Another amendment proposed by the Greens, draws attention to Serbia against the
organization of Parliamentary elections in Kosovo, saying that they are against its
international obligations. It notes that bearers of Serbian citizenship with the residence
in Kosovo can vote in those elections, organized by an international mission in
cooperation, notably with UNMIK and with OSCE, and the Kosovo authorities.
AAK: Serbia persecutes Kosovars, Thaçi Government remains silent (Koha
Ditore)
The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) on Monday continued to criticize on the
Government, stating that it is incapable of solving problems. “AAK requests from the
Government of Kosovo to urgently address the problem of falsified indictments by
Serbia, through which it continues to persecute citizens of the Republic of Kosovo and
make freedom of movement impossible,” said AAK Assembly Deputy, Donika KadajBujupi. She added that Serbia is continuing with its hostile policies.
People and money that bought Grand Hotel under investigation (Koha Ditore)
The paper reports four months after the declaration of Kosovo’s independence in
2008, UNMIK was requested to investigate the arrest of AKR leader Behgjet Pacolli
along with several other associates who together bought Grand Hotel Prishtina.
According to the UN, their arrest would help shed light on the origin of the money
used to buy the hotel, it was believed to be laundered.
The paper writes that it is unknown what occurred between that time and now but at
present, EULEX officials said the investigation into the case is closed. “Investigations
have ended due to the lack of evidence,” said a statement from EULEX.
President with a Council (Epoka e Re)
Epoka e Re reports that from this Tuesday, the Republic for Kosovo will have a
National Council for European Integration. This Council will be headed by the
President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga. This daily says the news was confirmed by the
Minister for European Integration, Vlora Çitaku. “This council will be lead by the
President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga. While the task force will consist of the
Government of Kosovo, more concretely the Ministry of European Integration,
opposition, civil society and experts,” said Çitaku.
Surroi: Air strikes changed history, not only in Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
Publicist, Veton Surroi discussed the American soldiers at camp Bondsteel, while
describing the night of 24 March and the signing of the Rambouillet agreement.
Shortly before the air strikes begun, mistrust and general suspicion of the population
was present. “I needed a lot of efforts to convince the people, not only the population,
but also those who where in our delegation in Rambouillet that NATO is holding to its
word and if we sign the agreement, and Serbia not, NATO will react for the benefit of
the people. That night the general mood of the people was a mixture of happiness and
fear”, said Surroi, as KTV reports. According to Surroi, for the first time the course of
history changed dramatically, while a much stronger army then that of Serbia , on 24
March marched through this land.
Jarinje opened for commercial goods (Zëri)
Zëri reports that the crossing point 1 (Jarinje) has been opened for commercial traffic
as part of the overall process of normalising customs controls in northern Kosovo,
informs EULEX through a press release. “With this latest measure, both Gate 1 and
Gate 31 are now fully operational for commercial and non-commercial traffic”, says
in EULEX announcement.
Mufti Tërnava: Islamic extremists should not be allowed to enter Kosovo (Koha)
During an interview for RTK, Kosovo Mufti, Naim Tërnava, appealed to Kosovo
competent institutions to stop the entrance of foreign citizens who with their actions
are ruining the image of Islam in Kosovo and harming the religion tolerance cultivated
for centuries among Albanians. “They prove with their appearance that they do not
coincide at all with the reality that exists in Kosovo,” added Tërnava.
Kosovo Press Headlines
Koha Ditore
Front page
 People and money that bought Grand under investigation
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Surroi: Air strikes changed history not only in Kosovo
Tërnava: Islamic extremists not to be allowed to enter Kosovo
Prime Minister Thaçi clashes with Vetëvendosje
Chief prosecutor Rama pledges assistance for Kosovo in judiciary
Other headlines
 Several MEPs want European Parliament add footnote for Kosovo (2)
 Jahjaga: Crimes in Krusha will not remain unpunished (3)
 AAK: Serbia persecutes Kosovars, Government remains silent (7)
 FOL: This law on procurement makes transparency impossible (7)
 KEK asks for security for putting the north under control (8)
Zëri
Front page
 Fuele comes empty-handed
 Games with consular and diplomatic staff
 Krasniqi: I did not break rules for meeting Limaj
 Jarinje opens for commercial goods
 Vetëvendosje: Ferronikel, example of privatisation’s failure
Other headlines
 AAK: Thaçi a ‘joker’ (2)
 Dialogue with Pristina, condition for Serbia (2)
 Detention extended to MUP members (2)
 Jahjaga coordinates with Kurti (4)
 Jahjaga with another council (5)
 KEK, ready to intervene in the north (7)
Kosova Sot
Front page
 Draft law on Prizren softened
 Kabashi doesn’t reveal who is being investigated for corruption
 Pristina municipality ‘forgets’ its villages
 Verdict on Kleçka case on Friday
 Editorial: Chief prosecutors
Other headlines
 MPs support law on funds (2)
 Krasniqi waits for amendments (2)
 Fuele in Kosovo today, Jahjaga sets up council (3)
 Jahjaga met Kurti (4)
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Degert reminds conditions to Serbia (4)
Peters against Serbian elections in Kosovo (4)
Tenders remain non-transparent (5)
Jarinje point opens for commercial goods (7)
KEK begins legal battle against illegal operators in the north (7)
Epoka e Re
Front page
 President with a Council
 Formal innocence of liberators, expected
 Krasniqi does not comment Thaçi’s statements
 Politics does not have impact on prosecution
 They agree, Draft law for Prizren historic center, ready
Other headlines
 Fule starts feasibility study (2)
 European Parliament discusses Kosovo as well (2)
 Kacin: Serbia not in EU with Cetnik ideology (2)
 Deger: Serbia is aware of conditions for EU membership (2)
 Krasniqi on presidential elections: I will respect the Constitution (3)
 Kadaj-Bujupi: Government does not know to negotiate (7)
Express
Front page
 The strong man of Hani i Elezit
 Feasibility starts
 Kosovo network
Other headlines
 Stipe Mesic: Concession towards Serb nationalism (2)
 The dialogue with Pristina (5)
 Krasniqi does not comment Prime Minister’s Thaçi statements for the change
of borders (5)
 They talk about Ferizaj (5)
 The law for trouble (6)
 Jarinje opens (7)
 MUP policemen, two months more in detention (8)
 Austrian help (9)
 Tërnava: Stop the extremists (9)
Bota Sot
Front page
 Krasniqi and Thaçi do (not) know the border of “Red apple”
 Jahjaga: No criminal will escape he justice
 Beqiri: Thaçi should deal with “Northern apple’s” and not with “Red
apple’s”
Other headlines
 Fuele on Tuesday in Pristina, officially opens feasibility study (7)
 Don’t extradite in Serbia Kosovo citizen Shemsi Nuhiu (4)
 From the investigation we will not “spare” nor Government officials (6)
 Tërnava: To be prohibited the entry in Kosovo of Islamic extremists (6)
 President Jahjaga welcomed Albin Kurti (11)
 Kosovo remembers Serb massacres, Government negotiates reconciliation
with Serbia (15)
Lajm
Front page
 Isa, a monograph for himself
 Exaggerated challenging on Government approach
 After Hoça, Prizren passes as well
Other headlines
 Lobbying online (2)
 Fuele today in Pristina regarding feasibility (2)
 Congressmen, letter to Podgorica for Tuz (2)
 Cooperation against organized crime (2)
 Presidential elections, only according to the law (3)
 Towards compromise for Serbian elections (4)
 Jahjaga and Kurti discuss elections in Ferizaj (4)
 Dialogue, a condition for Serbia towards EU (5)
 Serbia is withdrawing (5)
 Jarinje opened for commercial goods (5)
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.