Kosovo Minister: God save us from EULEX

PRISTINA, Kosovo — Unusual harsh words against the EU ‘rule-of-law-mission’ in Kosovo – EULEX – were used by former Kosovo Prime Minister and current Minister for internal affairs Bajram Rexhepi: “There is no good from EULEX. God save us from EULEX” the minister was quoted as saying by Kosovar media. In this particular case Minister Rexhepi expressed his anger concerning the refusal of EULEX police to confiscate Serbian car plates used by Serb Kosovars in the north of the country.

As from the perspective of the Kosovar government these plates are illegal. This refusal therefore appears symptomatic for EULEX’ incapability to equally implement rule of law all over Kosovo – which is said to be the missions’ main objective.

However, Rexhepi’s frustration addresses multiple issues regarding duties of the EULEX mission: As the main failure Rexhepi points out EULEX’ unwillingness to return Kosovar judges back to the courts at the Serb dominated north of the Kosovo territory. The judges were forced to leave by violent Serbian protestors short after the day of Kosovo’s declaration of independence in February 2008. At the same time EULEX is accused to tolerate Serbian parallel administration and justice-structures outside the legal framework of the Republic of Kosovo. According to Rexhepi "in all these cases EULEX didn’t react as obliged through its mandate".

This whole situation may cause tension. Besides ongoing rejection against EULEX by Kosovar opposition parties, Rexhepi’s anger now finds support also from Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Hajredin Kuci. "I don’t deal with individual statements, but what I can say is that Minister Rexhepi and others want order and law, and on this we wish to have cooperation with EULEX" Kuci said. Further on he stated, that there is no conflict with EULEX and that Minister Rexhepi wouldn’t question "… why Eulex is working, but why it is not working."

KON / NEWS > KOSOVO.

This article was first published on Technorati – Politics.

  

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