MONITOR FINAL EDITION
PRISTINA MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
OSCE Mission in Kosovo
Office of Press and Public Information
09 February 2005
(Unedited report)
NEWS & REPORTS
� Haradinaj goes to The Hague (All dailies)
� International reactions regarding Haradinaj issue (All dailies)
� Kosovan leaders express regret for indictment against Haradinaj (All
dailies)
� Minister Ahmet Isufi submits his resignation (All dailies)
� OSCE Head of Mission�s statement following Prime Minister�s resignation
(All dailies)
� Civilian disobedience announced (Some dailies)
� What now? (Express)
� Students of PU protest in peaceful way (All dailies)
________________________________
EDITORIALS & COLUMNS
� Men�s time (Koha Ditore, by Agron Bajrami)
� The first day of most dangerous phase for Kosovo (Zeri, by Blerim Shala)
� Dignity (Kosova Sot, editorial)
________________________________
NEWS & REPORTS
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HARADINAJ GOES TO THE HAGUE (All dailies)
The yesterday�s official announcement of the indictment from ICTY against
Kosovo PM Ramush Haradinaj was widely covered by all dailies. On front page,
dailies report that Kosovo PM Ramush Haradinaj, yesterday, confirmed that he
had received the ICTY indictment that he will travel to The Hague today, on
Wednesday.
Haradinaj said, �I have received the indictment from ICTY. I am one of the
indicted. I received the indictment officially today. I have it with me but
I am not going to give it to you right now, but you will know about its
content later on. I only want to say that I am completely innocent. As a
result of this indictment, I gave irrevocable resignation from PM�s post.�
Koha Ditore reports that Haradinaj, announced this news to President Ibrahim
Rugova, Assembly Speaker Ramush Haradinaj, and to the Governments Cabinet.
On the other hand, he asked the continuity of process for building Kosovo
state.
�Citizens of Kosovo, nothing dares to stop our path now. Each of us should
be ready to sacrifice in an appropriate way in order for our people and
country to achieve the merited independence after many centuries of
suffering and sacrifices.�
Haradinaj considered the indictment as a political bargain, which is
prepared in Belgrade and originates from the lies prepared in Belgrade. �I
don�t think this is a setback in Kosovo; it is an intervention; it is a
political bargain. Our policy is to build the state, and I am convinced that
there is no one who can stop the path towards independence. I believe in the
people who will continue the work, and I believe in the people of Kosovo,�
said Haradinaj.
All dailies also report that PM Haradinaj resigned from the position of
Kosovo PM and proposed the AAK deputy chairman Bajram Kosomi for the next
PM. On the other hand, dailies report that the Deputy PM Adme Slaihaj will
the acting PM until the voting of new PM.
Koha Ditore writes that Hardinaj�s readiness to go to The Hague was highly
evaluated by local and international institutions.
Dailies also carry the statement of SRSG Soren Jessen-Petersen and of the
KFOR General Commander Yves De Kermabon, given, following Haradinaj
resignation.
Z�ri reports that SRSG Jessen-Petersen was said that he will continue
working with a partner and close friend, �I have taken note of Ramush
Haradinaj's decision to step down with immediate effect as Prime Minister of
Kosovo. I do, of course, respect his decision, but I cannot hide the fact
that his departure will leave a big gap. Thanks to Ramush Haradinaj's
dynamic leadership, strong commitment and vision, Kosovo is today closer
than ever before to achieving its aspirations in settling its future status.
Personally, I am saddened to no longer be working with a close partner and
friend.�
While the KFOR General Commander, Kermabon expressed his deep respect on
decision and Haradinaj�s commitment, �I would like to express to Mr.
Haradinaj my greatest respect for his commitment to Kosovo�s future he has
demonstrated as Prime Minister, but today I want to thank him publicly about
his decision to resign is greatest evidence of his commitment. Today I ask
that everyone in Kosovo be respectful of his decision. I fully understand
that this day is a difficult one for the citizens of Kosovo; nevertheless, I
request each of you to remain calm and sensible. Do not respond to the
temptation of anger; on the contrary, you must show you will to live in
peace in a democratic society.�
On front page Koha Ditore and Lajm reports that The Hague indictment
includes also two other persons. According to these newspapers� sources they
are Lah Brahimaj and Idriz Balaj, who were Haradinaj�s co-warriors.
Epoka e Re writes that Assembly Speaker Nexhat Daci did not give the
promised resignation, if Hardinaj would be indicted by The Hague, but same
as in the previous arrestments he has given �strong� statements.
Epoka e Re cites Daci as saying, �Indictment of the Hague against Kosovo PM
Haradinaj is an interruption in political process in Kosovo� The Hague
Tribunal is an independent institution, which has the respect of Kosovo
citizens and the international community. This makes me believe that Ramush
Hardinaj will be found not guilty.�
INTERNATIONAL REACTIONS REGARDING HARADINAJ ISSUE (All dailies)
All Kosovo dailies published reactions that came from different world
centres following the resignation of PM Ramush Haradinaj after he received
an indictment from the Hague Tribunal.
Welcoming Haradinaj�s decision, The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Slovenian
Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel said, �I trust in the maturity of the people
of Kosovo and hope they will realise their best interests lie in following
the example of the Prime Minister and allowing the legal process to take its
course"
�I also urge all parts of the community to remain calm and refrain from any
actions that might inflame the situation at this important time in Kosovo's
development," he stated
He offered the support of the OSCE to maintain the progress that Kosovo had
been making and emphasized that the province could not afford a repetition
of the setback suffered almost one year ago, when 19 people were killed and
more than 4000 people were driven from their homes.
Reacting about this indictment Javier Solana, the EU High Representative for
the Common Foreign and Security Policy stated, "I welcome the decision of
Ramush Haradinaj to co-operate with the ICTY, following the announcement
today of his indictment. Full co-operation with the Tribunal is imperative
for everybody.
The future of Kosovo is the common concern of all Kosovo people and the
international community. Kosovo has entered a crucial phase and 2005 is an
important year. In this context, I count on the people of Kosovo to react
responsibly.
The Kosovo Government, Institutions and people must now remain focused on
the most important challenge ahead: Standards implementation. A review of
progress on the Standards implementation is to take place in mid-2005 and a
positive outcome would take Kosovo into the process of negotiations on its
future status.
The European Union has stayed close to the people of Kosovo throughout their
most difficult moments in the recent past and it remains fully committed to
the European Perspective of Kosovo. Kosovo is not going back to the
situation before 1999. Kosovo needs to move forward to the European Union."
NATO chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer hailed Kosovo PM's cooperation with the UN
war crimes tribunal, and urged Kosovars to behave responsibly after his
resignation.
"I am confident that Ramush Haradinaj will, as he has announced, meet his
obligations and cooperate fully with the International Tribunal for the
Former Yugoslavia," the NATO secretary general said in a statement.
"Kosovo is entering a crucial period during which it will be judged on its
progress in meeting the standards set by the international community.
"Cooperation with the Tribunal is one of those standards, and a responsible
approach by Mr. Haradinaj and the people of Kosovo will be a positive signal
in that regard," he said.
The US have also welcomed Haradinaj�s resignation. Richard Boucher, the
spokesperson of the US Department of State told AF, �Haradinaj�s decision
shows his deep concrn for Kosovo and his people.�
He highlighted that the US and international community remain committed to
supporting development of Kosovo institutions in accordance with UN SC
Resolution 1244.
Britain welcomed the resignation of Kosovo PM Haradinaj. "Mr. Haradinaj has
resigned and given his undertaking to go voluntarily to The Hague. We
welcome that, and look to him to carry out his commitment," Denis MacShane,
Britain's junior Foreign Office minister responsible for Europe, said in a
statement.
London "fully supported" the work of The Hague-based International Criminal
Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), he said.
Britain called on "all people in Kosovo not to exploit the fact of the
indictment for their own ends," MacShane said.
"Violence is unacceptable and will retard Kosovo's prospects. "It is vital
for the future of the region that the rule of law is followed and ICTY
issues brought to closure," he said.
There were other centers and officials that reacted positively towards this
issue, too.
KOSOVAN LEADERS EXPRESS REGRET FOR INDICTMENT AGAINST HARADINAJ (All
dailies)
All dailies report that Kosovo institutional and political leaders have
expressed their regret for the indictment against Haradinaj. UNMIK chief
Jessen-Petersen and KFOR Commander Yves de Kermabon had a joint meeting with
Ibrahim Rugova, Hashim Thaci, Veton Surroi, Kole Berisha and Bajram Kosumi,
who was proposed by Haradinaj to replace him in a post of PM. After the
meeting they said that Kosovo citizens should keep their calmness, respect
law and promised that there will be no institutional vacuum in Kosovo.
�We all know that Mr. Haradinaj is a prominent figure in the fight for
freedom and independence and now in the political scene of free Kosovo and a
man of cooperation and understanding� Mr. Haradinaj has done a lot for the
stability in Kosovo. I believe justice will have its word and Mr. Haradinaj
will have the opportunity to contribute to Kosovo - his homeland,� said
Ibrahim Rugova.
�Mr. Haradinaj has proved he is a hero of peace by resigning and cooperating
with ICTY. I asked COMKFOR, Mr. Jessen-Petersen and Kosovo institutions to
give joined guarantees for Mr. Haradinaj to defend himself in freedom,� said
Veton Surroi.
KPC Commander Agim �eku was quoted as saying, �We are very concerned about
the indictment� it is a great injustice to Kosovo, to the Kosovo liberation
war and to the Haradinaj family� His absence will be irreplaceable for
Kosovo.� �eku also said the KPC was certain of Haradinaj�s innocence and
believed that he would have the chance to defend himself in freedom.
Assembly Speaker Nexhat Daci said the indictment against Haradinaj was an
intrusion in the political process in Kosovo. In a press communiqu� issued
in his name, Daci expressed his conviction in the innocence of Ramush
Haradinaj, as according to him, the Hague Tribunal is an independent
institution, through which his innocence will be proved.
AAK vice president and the Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning,
Bajram Kosumi, said that the Government will continue its work in this
coalition and in this composition. �Haradinaj should be proud of his
military and political career. We all would like to have a biography of a
war hero and, as he proved during these five years, of the hero of peace,�
said Kosumi.
MINISTER AHMET ISUFI SUBMITS HIS RESIGNATION (All dailies)
All dailies report about the resignation of the Minister of Labor and Social
Welfare Ahmet Isufi only few hours after the resignation of Kosovo PM.
Minister Ahmeti comes from the same political party with Haradinaj-AAK.
�I called this press conference to confirm my irrevocable resignation from
the post of the Minister of Labor and Social Welfare, because of the
resignation of Kosovo PM,� said Minister Isufi in a press conference. He
said the he hands his resignation to PM Haradinaj and makes it as personal
and moral act.
OSCE HEAD OF MISSION�S STATEMENT FOLLOWING PRIME MINISTER�S RESIGNATION (All
dailies)
The OSCE Head of Mission, Ambassador Pascal Fieschi, issued the following
statement following the resignation of Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, who
has decided to step down in light of his indictment by the International
Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
�I respect the decision of the Prime Minister because it is in compliance
with the rule of law. Mr. Haradinaj has shown energy in his work, especially
on the Standards, and the type of co-operation he promoted was impressive
and productive,� said Ambassador Fieschi.
�I also hope that Kosovo, its Government, and its people can overcome the
test now placed before it to demonstrate maturity, restraint, and
responsibility. This is an important time for the people of Kosovo as the
public response will also influence the future of Kosovo.�
Ambassador Fieschi also noted that the Prime Minister�s message today was
forward looking and welcomed the desire to see the continuation of a
constructive and co-operative relationship on the Standards process.
He made it clear that the OSCE would continue to work with the people of
Kosovo and the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government (PISG) as they
progress in their democratic development: �The momentum gained is not
dependent on one man, but on the thousands of people that have been elected
or appointed at all levels and on the people of Kosovo themselves.�
CIVILIAN DISOBEDIENCE ANNOUNCED (Some dailies)
Some dailies published reactions of the UCK War Associations � the UCK
Veterans Organization, Invalids� Association, and Association of War Martyrs
- officials of which said that the indictment against Ramush Haradinaj is an
insult against the entire Albanian nation.
Epoka e Re writes that these associations said that they will choose
democratic forms of citizens disobedience for protesting against desecration
of the war values of the UCK.
Their reaction, read, �The goals of this prosecution are transparent. By
basing allegedly on evidences of the Serb occupier and Albanian
collaborationists, it is issuing ungrounded charges against the main figures
of UCK figures.�
According to Sherif Krasniqi, the head of the UCK War Veterans Association,
they have warned even before that Kosovo citizens may react against the
unjust acts against war values, and those who have made these decisions
should bear the consequences of any possible escalation.
On the other hand, Xhavit Jashari rom the Martyr�s Association, called upn
Kosovo institutions to defend UCK war values.
WHAT NOW? (Express)
Following the announcement of the indictment against PM Ramush Haradinaj
Express writes,
�In the beginning everyone talks about the stability in the place, then the
wish for the positions will overpower them. It is possible that the latter
will happen just after Haradinaj goes to the Hague.
Many think that Haradinaj resignation gives an end to the current Government
composition. A new dilemma opens with this. Are we going to face a
govermnetal crisis, or even a parliamentarian one?
With the PM�s resignation, Kosovo entered a governmental crisis. This crisis
was strengthen by resignation of Minsiter Ahmet Isufi, while many things
remain to be clarified in the next days.
For the monument it is known that only Kosovo Assembly Speaker, Nexhat Daci
will keep his position, even though he had announced that if Haradinaj goes
to The Hague, he would resign.
The drafters of LDK�AAK coalition think that they can build the Government
on the agreement for the coalition with PM Bajram Kosumi. However,
everything remains on the hands of few AAK MPs, amongst them there are few
who hesitate to enter the coalition with the LDK again.
The proposed candidate Bajram Kosumi believes that the coalition with the
similar composition could be saved. �Government will continue its work. The
Kosovo PM will be elected as soon as possible. We will try to successfully
complete the path that Hradinaj has started,� said Kosumi.
However, other AAK officials seem to have different opinion, such is Ahmet
Isufi. He was against the coalition with the LDK even before, but he had
approved it for the sake of Ramush Haradinaj.
If the coalition LDK-AAK, for any reason, does not collect 61 votes, then
Kosovo will find itself before the coalition where will participate at least
also the PDK and Ora.�
STUDENTS OF PU PROTEST IN PEACEFUL WAY (All dailies)
Koha Ditore reports about the protest of thousands of students with white
papers- sign of peace, on the streets of Prishtina last night, expressing
their revolt towards the indictment against PM Haradinaj. The protest was
organized by the organizational council of Student Independent Union.
The president of UPSUP Sejdi Hoxha said: �We are here to support PM
Haradinaj and to express our dissatisfaction with the indictment against him
by the Hague Tribunal. With this protest, students want to show to Kosovo
people and Kosovo institutions that they know to respect their
institutions.�
Zeri reports that hundreds of students of PU marched peacefully last night
around 21,00 hours as a sign of support to PM Haradinaj.
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EDITORIALS & COLUMNS back to top
MEN�S TIME (Koha Ditore, by Agron Bajrami)
The very spoken-about accusation against Ramush Haradinaj was issued by The
Hague Tribunal. Following months of rumors, reports, anonymous sources that
announced this, the Prime Minister of Kosovo himself made the bad news
public on Tuesday. Besides this news, Haradinaj also announced his decision
for resigning from his governmental post and handing himself over to The
Hague and put himself once more in service of Kosovo and its path towards
the future. On Tuesday, Haradinaj faced as a man with the biggest challenge
coming from The Hague as he did with even bigger ones in the past.
Haradinaj and Kosovo faced in the past with much bigger challenges than this
one. Same as in the past, we should not stop or take developments backward.
Both, supporters and criticizers of Haradinaj and his Government should get
together and draw a conclusion as men for the good of Kosovo.
Those who sit and talk today about a way for getting out of this situation,
about the future, not the past, and about a positive movement forward not
towards the trap of stagnation are real men. With this, men would help
Haradinaj.
For all this, the main burden is over political institutions of the country
� the Presidency, Government and Parliament.
As never before, these institutions should reflect the unity of political
need and the quality for implementing it. Anyway, this means the need for
reaching quickly a new Kosovan political agreement, so that process does not
suffer more than it is necessary and indispensable � they should reach a
men�s agreement.
This is so because summer is close. It will bring realization of the
international promises for opening the issue of status. We do not have
doubts about this promise because men keep their word.
The time of men has come to Kosovo again. It is the time of those who are
for cooperation and use their brains instead of fits and who put their
manhood in service of Kosovo, not individual, political, or party�s
interest. This is the only way to help Kosovo and Haradinaj � as men�
THE FIRST DAY OF MOST DANGEROUS PHASE FOR KOSOVO (Zeri, by Blerim Shala)
On 8-th of March, Kosovo is entering the most critical and dangerous phase
of political developments. There could be no worse time for the Hague
Tribunal to make public the indictment against Ramush Haradinaj, the PM of
Kosovo and former-UCK commander.
The anniversary of March riots, 100 days of the Kosovo Government, weeks and
months when huge progress regarding standards had to be marked are only some
of the elements that make up the time and political context when Kosovo
people found out through PM Haradinaj that he would set off for The Hague.
They say that there are never good times for bad news, but this historical
and political moment is really sensitive and problematic. As never before in
the recent years, Kosovo needs maturity, wisdom and political pragmatism.
The statement and behavior of Ramush Haradinaj has made for the Kosovo
authorities to face this much easier. All Kosovo politicians and officials
should follow this big step of Ramush Haradinaj.
In this context, Kosovo society must overcome in the forthcoming weeks and
months two main challenges � to save the security in Kosovo and to govern
the country properly.
Kosovans should manage and control political developments in the most
important period for Kosovo�s future. They would probably have the support
of Kosovo chief-administrator Jessen Petersen for this.
But from now on, Kosovans need a clear support from western centers. It
should first of all be distinguished with a warning transparency as far as
Kosovo�s status, respectively its independence is concerned.
DIGNITY (Kosova Sot, editorial)
What we should do today, the day when Kosovo PM goes to The Hague is to
follow his message for keeping peace and continuation of the road towards
independence, without hesitating at any moment. This is a painful moment,
for all those that cohabitate with the wish to see Kosovo as a state, for
all those that believe in the right war of UCK.
This event can be considered as a loss, but if we know to follow the will of
our PM, we will make it easier. On one side we lost the head of our
government, and on the other we have fresh his example and his sacrifice for
the country. Haradinaj proved that he has a strong dignity, ready to be
sacrificed for his country.
The best appeal made to people these days is to keep their maturity for the
sake of respect towards PM and for the prospective of the country.
Ironically, the bad news came in March, which remind us on the black month
for Kosovo.
Nobody needs repetition of violence, from which we will benefit nothing. We
should be calm, while the international community is carefully observing us
and those who do not wish the good to Kosovo, plan different provocation for
inciting violence. We should not become the prey of violence, since we known
very well that violence caused to us many sufferings and trauma.
What we should do now is to be closer to each other and express in peaceful
way our irrevocable engagement for Kosovo independence. The state has a
price which is still being paid. The going of Haradinaj to The Hague is a
part of political cost that we are paying today. It is important to remain
faithful to the ideal for which many martyrs gave their lives.
Despite of different bargains, the respect towards the Hague Tribunal is an
indicator of the values of people. Justice is a principle of democracy and
if we respect it, then it is another convincing argument that Kosovans
deserve state.
________________________________
Disclaimer:
The items in this report are direct translations taken from the Kosovo
Albanian press and do not represent the views of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.
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OSCE Mission in Kosovo - Intranet , 2005
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