Friday 5th September 2008 MEDIA HEADLINES IN ENGLISH

You’re listening to NEWS REPORT, a summary of today’s media, prepared by UNMIK ON AIR

UNMIK complaints of no jurisdiction,
Serbia's parties agree on EU accord, and
Rice on historic Libya visit

KOSOVO
UNMIK Chief Lamberto Zannier said yesterday that he is working for a larger role of the OSCE throughout Kosovo, considering this crucial at this transition period. Speaking at the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, Zannier claimed that the Albanian majority in Kosovo does not recognize his authority, referring to the Constitution of Kosovo.

President Fatmir Sejdiu has reiterated his readiness to meet with Serbian President Boris Tadic only as presidents of two independent countries, but not for issues that are status-related. He denied that UNMIK could play the role of a mediator in the direct meetings between Kosovo and Serbia.

Security officials stated in a debate organized at Media Centre in Caglavica that a political solution will be found for the Serb Kosovo Police officers who are still under paid suspension and who left their jobs after February 2008. They stated that all KPS officers will be under a single chain of command.

The upcoming meetings in New York should clarify the EULEX mission's presence in Kosovo, says EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana. “The European mission has as its aim the establishment of the rule of law, which I believe is important for the whole region,” Solana added.

President of Kosovo Fatmir Sejdiu and Foreign Minister Skender Hyseni will travel to New York in an attempt to block the resolution at the UN Security Council proposed by Serbia. “We have two goals. First to lobby for recognition of Kosovo and second to lobby against Serbia’s initiative which is not only damaging for Kosovo but for Serbia as well,” Hyseni said.

Talks between Belgrade and UNMIK are aimed at continued Serb engagement in some sectors, according to the state secretary at the Ministry for Kosovo Oliver Ivanovic. Judiciary, police and customs, should not be linked to EULEX, he added, saying that Serbia’s wants UNMIK to maintain certain jurisdictions.

Italy has officially recognized new passports of the Republic of Kosovo, Italian ambassador to Kosovo Michael Luis Giffon said yesterday. Giffon added that the procedure of issuing visas will start very soon, as Italy is looking for economic, political and cultural exchange with Kosovo.

The UNMIK customs has allowed to a shipment of medicines to pass through yesterday into Serbian enclaves in central Kosovo. UNMIK customs spokesman has said the shipment was held at the customs since there was a difference between the documentation and the content.

Boris Tadic ranks among the most poorly paid presidents of Balkans states, earning 1900 euros, while the President of FYR of Macedonia is paid 1200 euros. The best paid Balkan presidents are Croatian President with 3600 euros and Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu who earns 3100 euros.

REGIONAL
Serbia's parliament has agreed over an annex to the Stabilization and Association Agreement, SAA, proposed by the Radical Party. The provision, stating that Kosovo is an integral part of Serbia, will accompany the law on the ratification of the SAA, expected to take place next week.

People from both FYR of Macedonia and Albania are now able to cross their border without visas as a no-visa agreement comes into force. It is expected that the move will boost the economy and trade between the two countries as well as encourage more tourists from both sides to visit.

Bosnia's top international envoy said yesterday the country has seen mixed progress on political and economic reforms. “The current negative political atmosphere has blocked further progress,” Miroslav Lajcak said, adding that ”attacks on the constitutional structure of the State are destructive to any progress.”

INTERNATIONAL
Condoleezza Rice travels to Libya on Friday, the first trip there by a U.S. secretary of state in 55 years, signaling improved ties between the two countries. In her brief trip, Rice is set to meet Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and share Iftar with him, and raise human rights concerns as well as regional conflicts in Chad and Sudan.

Sony is recalling 440,000 Vaio laptop computers worldwide because of wiring faults that could cause overheating. The recall concerns 19 Vaio models in the TZ series manufactured between May 2007 and July 2008. The company said that a number of people had been burnt by the fault.

WEATHER
Today will be sunny with a low tonight of 15 degrees; the sun will shine all weekend long, with temperature ranging from lows of 17 degrees Celsius and highs of 32 degrees Celsius

And that’s all for today, thank you for listening.