Wednesday 19th November 2008
MEDIA HEADLINES IN ENGLISH
You’re listening to NEWS REPORT, a summary of
today’s media, prepared by UNMIK ON AIR
Pristina replies with a four-point plan
Belgrade Announces Counter-Suit for War Crimes, and
Congo rebels 'to withdraw troops'
KOSOVO
The Kosovo institutions have rejected yesterday the six-point
plan of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon proposed regarding the
future role of the UNMIK and EULEX missions, Kosovo President Fatmir
Sejdiu announced, and read out the Pristina plan which contains four
points.
The first point states that Kosovo institutions endorse
a quicker deployment of EULEX in Kosovo, in accordance with the declaration
of independence, the plan of former UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari, the constitution
and laws of Kosovo, as well as
coordinated action of the EU from February 2008 and the invitation to
EULEX sent by the Kosovo institution.
The second points outlines that the Kosovo institutions
fully reject the six-point plan and the third one, that Pristina will
closely cooperate with EULEX in ensuring the respect of sovereignty
and territorial integrity of Kosovo. Sejdiu named as fourth point Kosovo’s
commitment to always cooperate with the US, EU and NATO.
Serbia’s foreign minister Vuk Jeremic said yesterday
that the agreement between Serbia and the UN on the reconfiguration
of the international civilian presence in Kosovo has been concluded
and, as far as Belgrade is concerned, these negotiations have ended.
Jeremic said that he now expects the UN Security Council to approve
the six-point plan as soon as possible.
The UN Secretary General spokesperson, Brenden Varma
said yesterday that giving up the six-point plan or changing it is not
on the agenda of the Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, media report. “The
Secretary General has made his statement and this statement didn’t
change. We don’t intend to change the six-point plan and we are
continuing our work to find a solution,” said Varma.
Today a network of around 30 NGOs, will protest to
against the six-point plan. The organizers expect a big number of citizens
to show at the protest. Leader of the ‘Vetevendosja’ movement
Albin Kurti has said that there is a danger of Kosovo “turning
into Bosnia or worse,” because the Kosovo institutions do not
have a strategy for overcoming the challenges imposed by the plan for
restructuring of the civil mission.
Representatives of the Kosovo Police Service (KPS)
have stated that he will raise the level of security in Pristina today
in order to prevent possible incidents during the protest rally against
an imposition of conditions for deployment of EULEX.
The European Union has not changed its plans for the
start of EULEX activities in the beginning of December, despite the
rejection by Kosovo authorities of the UN plan for UNMIK reconfiguration,
sources in the office of EU High Representative for foreign policy and
security Javier Solana told yesterday.
The pre-accession financial assistance to Kosovo for
2009 is €106.1 m, to be managed by the European Commission Liaison
Office to Kosovo. The key funding priorities for 2009 include the strengthening
of administrative capacities, enhancing the rule of law, good governance,
and regional economic development as well improving socio-economic conditions
for all communities.
REGIONAL
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) agreed yesterday to hear Croatia's
allegations of genocide against Serbia during the early 1990s. Following
the Court’s decision Serbia's legal representative at the International
Court of Justice (ICJ) Tibor Varadi said that Serbia might file an application
against Croatia to the ICJ for genocide committed against Serbs in the
latest war and that authorities in Belgrade would decide on this.
Turkish police have seized 575 kg of heroin at the
border checkpoint of Hamzabeili-Lesovo. The shipment was found in a
truck and was intended for the European market. The driver, a Turkish
citizen, was arrested. This is so far the largest shipment of heroin
ever seized at the Bulgarian-Turkish border, the media report.
A total of 6 Million trees will be planted in FYROM
today as part of the celebrations of the Day of the Tree, news agencies
in Skopje informed. The action will take place at 100 locations and
invites all citizens to participate.
INTERNATIONAL
Rebels loyal to Laurent Nkunda in the Democratic Republic of
Congo say they are withdrawing from two fronts to create humanitarian
corridors. The news came after the army chief of staff was sacked following
the recent rebel advances in the east. Meanwhile, France has presented
a draft resolution to the UN Security Council to strengthen the UN force
in DR Congo.
The bosses of the three biggest US carmakers, Ford,
GM and Chrysler, have asked Congress for a $25bn bail-out. They told
a Senate hearing that without the rescue package, their firms risked
collapse, and warned of broader risks to the US economy.
However, Republicans and the White House do not want to use the $700bn
bank rescue to help car firms.
WEATHER
Tomorrow will be cloudy with maximum of 4 and a low of -1 degrees Celsius.
And that’s the latest. Thank you for listening
and goodbye.