EP observers on Kosovo vote: Threats and fraud

18 January 2011 | 11:10 | Source: Tanjug

STRASBOURG -- The recently held elections in Kosovo were marked by threats and fraud, members of the Observer Mission stated. They briefed a meeting of the European Parliament (EP) Foreign Affairs Committee on the December 12 elections organized by the government in Priština. At the meeting in Strasbourg, where the EP plenary session is underway, members of the Observer Mission in Kosovo unanimously stated that there were threats and fraud both during the elections in December 2010 and the repeated voting in several municipalities in January 2011, the BBC radio reported. On that occasion, EP Rapporteur and member of the Observer Mission Ulrike Lunacek said that things in Kosovo "must change". Commenting on a statement from a MEP that "Europe may have acted hastily" by recognizing Kosovo, Lunacek said that "other issues are being addressed at this point rather than the issue of Kosovo's independence". In view of the Kosovo organ trafficking report of Council of Europe Rapporteur Dick Marty, she said that evidence should be provided, and that she hopes that the Committee will discuss the report in Marty's presence.