Kosovo's Prime Minister Resigns After Summoned by Hague Prosecutors

gazetaexpress.com

Kosovo’s Prime Minister Resigns After Summoned by Hague Prosecutors - Gazeta Express

2-3 minutes

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Kosovo prime minister, Ramush Haradinaj, has on Friday offered his irrevocable resignation after being summoned as a suspect by the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (SPO) for his role as former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) commander during Kosovo war.

Haradinaj, who during the war in Kosovo was KLA commander of the Dukagjini region, made the announcement while addressing media after regular Government’s meeting on Friday. “I just informed the Government, that I have offered irrevocable resignation as the head of Government. The reason is because I have been summoned by the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office for questioning as a suspect,” Haradinaj said. He confirmed that he will appear before Hague prosecutors next week for questioning, adding that he cannot travel to the Hague as head of Kosovo Government, but only as ordinary citizen of the Republic of Kosovo. “I will be questioned next week, and I have assessed that I cannot appear there as head of Government, but only as citizen of Kosovo. To preserve the credibility of the Prime Minister’s post, I thought resignation is a right decision,” Haradinaj said adding that he will respect the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s office established to prosecute and try alleged crimes committed by the KLA. “I will perform my duties and defend Kosovo as a warrior of my country,” he said. Haradinaj said that his Government will continue working until next election, explaining that all his obligations according to the Constitution are transferred to country’s President.

This is the second time Haradinaj resigns as prime minister to face international justice. In 2005 Haradinaj resigned as prime minister after 100 days serving as prime minister after he was indicted by the war crimes tribunal in The Hague. After years of trial Haradinaj was acquitted of all charges. /GazetaExpress/

 

b92.net

Dutch UN soldiers sue Dutch Government over Srebrenica; "Sent to impossible mission"

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Group of veterans from the Dutch UN unit which was part of UN Peacekeeping mission in Srebrenica region in 1995 files lawsuit against the Netherlands Government

Source: Tanjug Thursday, July 11, 2019 | 13:01

 

Matej Divizna/Stringer/Gettty images/Srebrenica

In a filed lawsuit, the soldiers demand honor restoration, an apology and payment of symbolic damages, Dutch daily AD (The Algemeen Dagblad) reports.

Veterans' attorney Michael Rupert stated that Dutch soldiers were sent to "an impossible mission" and just left there, without appropriate preparation, without sufficient materials and capacity", Rupert concluded.

He had stated earlier that the soldiers suffered major damages during the incidents in Srebrenica, saying that the soldiers had never been compensated for the psychological and financial damages incurred as a result of their deployment, while their social life was ruined.

Three years ago, 230 veterans had gathered with the aim of filing lawsuit against the Netherlands, but gave up on this idea when last year Dutch Minister of Defense Ank Bijleveld announced thorough investigation into the problems Dutch soldiers still face as a result of Srebrenica massacre.

Although the minister still conducts discussions with the work group of the former peacekeeping unit members, certain number of them considers that no progress was made, Rupert explained.

At this point, around twenty soldiers is determined to file lawsuit against the Dutch Government, while their attorney believes that additional hundred soldiers will join them in this effort.

 

tass.com

Kosovo crisis cannot be ironed out without US and Russia, Serbian president says

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BELGRADE, July 8. /TASS/. The Kosovo crisis cannot be solved without efforts taken by the United States, Russia and other international powers, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told RTS TV channel on Monday.

"I would be glad if we established a lasting peace with the Albanians, this would be important for Serbia’s future and for our citizens. Without the Americans, the Russians and other world powers, it is very hard to reach any solution to the Kosovo issue," Vucic said.

Meanwhile, Vucic noted that the talks cannot bring fruit if some party to the dialogue demands unconditional recognition of its independence within the current borders. "This [Kosovo] is an important part, where our people live, and we should take care of them, their security, their future and fight for their survival," the president said, answering a question of what Kosovo and Metohija mean for him personally.

Serbia’s autonomous territory of Kosovo and Metohija unilaterally proclaimed independence in February 2008. The United Nations International Court recognized its independence in 2010. At present the Republic of Kosovo, according to Serbia, is recognized by 99 countries. Pristina claims that there are 117 such countries. More than sixty countries, including Russia, Greece, Israel, India, Spain and China, are against Kosovo’s recognition.