Wednesday 23rd July 2008 MEDIA
HEADLINES IN ENGLISH
You’re listening to NEWS REPORT, a summary of
today’s media, prepared by UNMIK ON AIR
Zannier to start talks with Belgrade,
European Commission wants trade agreement with Serbia, and
Zimbabwe introduces new billion banknotes
KOSOVO
UNMIK Chief Lamberto Zannier will make his first step of shuttle diplomacy
today in Belgrade trying to dismantle the obstacles of Serbia against
the international civilian administration in Kosovo. Zannier will meet
with Serbia’s Foreign Minister and its Minister for Kosovo.
The arrest of the Bosnian Serb leader, Radovan Karadzic,
accused of war crimes is good news for everyone, according to Prime
Minister Hashim Thaçi. He told CNN that the arrest is “something
very positive for Serbia, the Serb people, for peace and stability in
the region and also for the U.S. and EU investment in the region.”
Kosovo officials commented yesterday following the
meeting between the US President George W. Bush with Kosovo’s
President and Prime Minister, appreciating the statement against division
of Kosovo. Assembly speaker Jakup Krasniqi said the meeting was a strong
confirmation for recognizing the independent Kosovo.
US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried called
on the international community to regain control of the northern part
of Kosovo dominated by Serbs. Fried said that there is no law in northern
Kosovo, warning that international community cannot allow the situation
to slip out of hand before things start deteriorating.
One of Kosovo’s main opposition parties, AAK,
has started its internal political preparations to be prepared for Kosovo
elections which the party considers should take place as proposed by
the former UN Envoy for Kosovo status, Martti Ahtisaari.
The head of Pristina University, Enver Hasani, raised
concerns yesterday that too many students will try to enter Kosovo’s
public university following the Government’s decision to prohibit
new enrolment at private universities. Pristina University suffers from
accommodation problems and currently works at its limit at 28,000 students.
The Post and Telecommunication has confirmed the appointment
of a new Managing Director. Adnan Merovci was elected by the Board of
Directors to head Kosovo’s most profitable publicly owned enterprise.
The post had been vacant since the last director resigned by the end
of 2007.
In Mitrovica, police arrested 17 citizens yesterday,
at a protest organized against the temporary sheltering of dangerous
chemicals at old ‘Trepca’ depots. The chemicals have been
confiscated last month from a private company by the Customs after a
dangerous level of chemicals was confirmed in the containers.
REGION
The European Commission said yesterday it wants to start implementing
the trade benefits of a new agreement with Serbia following the arrest
of top Bosnian Serb war crimes suspect, Radovan Karadzic.
In an unprecedented move, the European Commission
is set today to block two Bulgarian agencies from using EU funds worth
hundreds of millions of euros. The move is prompted by concerns over
corruption and organized crime.
A Greek court dismissed yesterday a request by residents
of the island of Lesbos to prohibit the use of the word lesbian to describe
gay women. The court said that the word did not define the identity
of Lesbos residents, and so could be used legitimately by gay groups
in Greece and abroad.
INTERNATIONAL
Zimbabwe is to introduce a bank-note worth Z$100bn in response to rampant
inflation rate which has exceeded 2,2m%. But the note will barely cover
the cost of a loaf of bread. Zimbabwe's meltdown has left at least 80%
of the population in poverty, facing mass shortages of basic goods.
China has finished evacuating the last town to be
submerged by the giant Three Gorges Dam, making way for water levels
in the reservoir to rise to their final height of 175 meters above sea
level. In total, some 1.4 million people have been moved to make way
for the waters behind the world's largest hydroelectric feat.
WEATHER
Today it will rain with temperatures hovering all day around 12 degrees
Celsius. It will rain more tomorrow, with the highest temperatures reaching
17 Degrees Celsius
And that’s all for today, thank you for listening.