Post by uz on Sept 17, 2011 19:02:07 GMT -5
The EU task force to investigate allegations of Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) organ traficking and organised crime -- including by Prime Minister Hashim Thaci -- fueled a debate of its political impact on Kosovo.
Swiss MEP Dick Marty's report, adopted by the Council of Europe last December, paved the way for US prosecutor John Clint Williamson to be appointed to head the task force and start the investigation in 2012.
Two international prosecutors and several international investigators specialising in war crimes under EULEX authority will assist Williamson.
"The allegations merit to be thoroughly investigated and it is important they are clarified," an EU official told SETimes.
"Gathering evidence and establishing facts will be a very challenging task. It goes without saying that such a sensitive and high profile investigation will take time," the official added.
Analyst Halil Matoshi said that Marty's report stained Kosovo, and he urged the country's leadership to actively address the allegations. The way to do so, Matoshi argued, would be for Pristina to ask for an international panel of judges and seasoned investigators and experts.
"Smoke can not be removed with smoke, but through clearing of the facts," he said.
He criticised officials for playing to Marty's report through "lazyness, lack of work, corruption and organized crime".
While Matoshi's comments provoked harsh reactions from Kosovo's War Veterans Association, official Pristina supported the investigation.
A number of Albanians like Dreni, disatisfied with what they perceive as the Thaci government's shady delings, welcome the investigation. "The end has come for the criminals and the thieves," Dreni wrote.
Others see it as an attemt for political change. "The point is to remove Thaci and make Mimoza [Kushari-Lila] a prime minister because establishing rule of law with Thaci goes very slowly. Nothing comes from him when it is about [visa] liberalization and economic development," Jetoniii said.
Still others, like Hamdi, equate the criticism of Thaci and KLA with betrayal. "Thaci is the George Washington of Kosovo. But I know why Pristina people like you are happy to see the KLA stained: because it ruined your brotherhood with the Serbs of Rashka."
Similarly, Flamur sees the investigations as blown up examples of Albaninans merely "slapping" Serbs or collaborators. "Is there no need for investigating the crimes committed by Serbs and their collaborators who now live freely in Kosovo?" he asked.
Some view the investigations as punishment in a larger game and blame the EU. "Instead of helping this state and these people, Europe has punished us disallowing free movement. Europe and the UN are not interested in the latter, but they put conditions to Kosovo that can not be met," claims Riza.
Williamson's nationality was part of the debate as well. "We believe the Americans, they are the cradle of law in the world, we have no reason to fear anyone because it is absurd to have had such things happening in the situation," Kosova said.
Sem Luma disagrees. "Being American does not mean much when we view people as individuals".
Mosvet sugests that Williamsons' nationality will have a calming effect given that some Albanians will eventually be punished for the alleged crimes."Albanians can take the punishment easier when it comes from an American," he said.
Finally, Qerim Syla is happy that with this action, however long it takes, the organs issue will al last be concluded. "The respected American will put this work in motion and the reality will be sealed once and forever."
www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/blogreview/2011/09/17/blog-03
Swiss MEP Dick Marty's report, adopted by the Council of Europe last December, paved the way for US prosecutor John Clint Williamson to be appointed to head the task force and start the investigation in 2012.
Two international prosecutors and several international investigators specialising in war crimes under EULEX authority will assist Williamson.
"The allegations merit to be thoroughly investigated and it is important they are clarified," an EU official told SETimes.
"Gathering evidence and establishing facts will be a very challenging task. It goes without saying that such a sensitive and high profile investigation will take time," the official added.
Analyst Halil Matoshi said that Marty's report stained Kosovo, and he urged the country's leadership to actively address the allegations. The way to do so, Matoshi argued, would be for Pristina to ask for an international panel of judges and seasoned investigators and experts.
"Smoke can not be removed with smoke, but through clearing of the facts," he said.
He criticised officials for playing to Marty's report through "lazyness, lack of work, corruption and organized crime".
While Matoshi's comments provoked harsh reactions from Kosovo's War Veterans Association, official Pristina supported the investigation.
A number of Albanians like Dreni, disatisfied with what they perceive as the Thaci government's shady delings, welcome the investigation. "The end has come for the criminals and the thieves," Dreni wrote.
Others see it as an attemt for political change. "The point is to remove Thaci and make Mimoza [Kushari-Lila] a prime minister because establishing rule of law with Thaci goes very slowly. Nothing comes from him when it is about [visa] liberalization and economic development," Jetoniii said.
Still others, like Hamdi, equate the criticism of Thaci and KLA with betrayal. "Thaci is the George Washington of Kosovo. But I know why Pristina people like you are happy to see the KLA stained: because it ruined your brotherhood with the Serbs of Rashka."
Similarly, Flamur sees the investigations as blown up examples of Albaninans merely "slapping" Serbs or collaborators. "Is there no need for investigating the crimes committed by Serbs and their collaborators who now live freely in Kosovo?" he asked.
Some view the investigations as punishment in a larger game and blame the EU. "Instead of helping this state and these people, Europe has punished us disallowing free movement. Europe and the UN are not interested in the latter, but they put conditions to Kosovo that can not be met," claims Riza.
Williamson's nationality was part of the debate as well. "We believe the Americans, they are the cradle of law in the world, we have no reason to fear anyone because it is absurd to have had such things happening in the situation," Kosova said.
Sem Luma disagrees. "Being American does not mean much when we view people as individuals".
Mosvet sugests that Williamsons' nationality will have a calming effect given that some Albanians will eventually be punished for the alleged crimes."Albanians can take the punishment easier when it comes from an American," he said.
Finally, Qerim Syla is happy that with this action, however long it takes, the organs issue will al last be concluded. "The respected American will put this work in motion and the reality will be sealed once and forever."
www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/blogreview/2011/09/17/blog-03