"Takeover of north even before agreement expires"

Kosovo Albanian PM Hajredin Kuci has stated that an "action of establishment of peace and order in north Kosovo may be launched even before September 15". That is the date of expiry of the oral agreement between KFOR and Pristina and Belgrade on the resolution of the north Kosovo crisis, sparked in July by Pristina's attempts to take over administrative line checkpoints. "Takeover of north even before agreement expires" Kuci stated on Sunday presenting the first six months of work of the Kosovo Ministry of Justice that the Kosovo government intends to take control over the Jarinje and Brnjak administrative checkpoints in north Kosovo, said Pristina-based Albanian language daily Koha Ditore. "We are working hard and putting additional efforts to establish a normal state in the shortest possible term. At the moment, we have control over KFOR, and we will exert control over the crossings as soon as possible. That can happen even before September 15, while after September 15 the rule of law and control over checkpoints will be established," Kuci said. As for the justice system in the north, he said that "judges and prosecutors should meet three criteria - to establish an integrated justice system, to be appointed by Kosovo institutions, and to be included in the system of Kosovo". Kuci said that he was "not familiar" with a statement made by the terrorists of the Albanian National Army (ANA) that they would launch armed actions in north Kosovo unless the Kosovo government takes control in this part of Kosovo by the end of September. The north is primarily inhabited by Serbs, who do not recognize the authority of the government in Pristina, and also reject the unilateral declaration of independence made by ethnic Albanians more than three years ago.

"Takeover of north even before agreement expires"

Kuci stated on Sunday presenting the first six months of work of the Kosovo Ministry of Justice that the Kosovo government intends to take control over the Jarinje and Brnjak administrative checkpoints in north Kosovo, said Priština-based Albanian language daily Koha Ditore.

"We are working hard and putting additional efforts to establish a normal state in the shortest possible term. At the moment, we have control over KFOR, and we will exert control over the crossings as soon as possible. That can happen even before September 15, while after September 15 the rule of law and control over checkpoints will be established," Kuci said.

As for the justice system in the north, he said that "judges and prosecutors should meet three criteria - to establish an integrated justice system, to be appointed by Kosovo institutions, and to be included in the system of Kosovo".

Kuci said that he was "not familiar" with a statement made by the terrorists of the Albanian National Army (ANA) that they would launch armed actions in north Kosovo unless the Kosovo government takes control in this part of Kosovo by the end of September.

The north is primarily inhabited by Serbs, who do not recognize the authority of the government in Priština, and also reject the unilateral declaration of independence made by ethnic Albanians more than three years ago.