Analysis by Festim Rizanaj
Kosovo and Serbia have reached an agreement on the issue of identity cards a few days ago. Serbia will recognize Kosovo's identity cards and will no longer issue entry-exit cards. Kosovo will do the same, and the decision will also apply to Serbs living in the north of the Republic of Kosovo.
While a two-month period has been set for finding a solution to the license plate issue, Brussels has expressed optimism about finding a solution for car plates as well.
Additional American KFOR forces have been stationed in the north of the country for days.
Since it was foreseen that the implementation of the agreement on the recognition of identity cards would begin today (September 1) media close to the government in Serbia, yesterday they stayed in the northern part of Kosovo and reported on the situation there.
The context of Serbian media reporting was mainly based on the tension of the situation, emphasizing the Kosovo Police and the fear of Serbs.
The Serbian daily "Novosti" published an article yesterday (August 31) in the morning hours highlighting the large presence in the north of members of the Kosovo Police special units with full military equipment who are building fortifications near administrative crossings, which according to the newspaper, is worrying Serbs and shows Pristina's intentions. According to the tendentious context of the newspaper, these are signs that tomorrow (September 1) there will be problems. (see here)
Also, the Serbian newspaper “Novosti” yesterday (August 31) at noon, published another article where, according to the newspaper, Kosovo Police forces with full combat equipment have arrived in Jarinje, and that this is causing concerns among the Serbian people. In the tendentious interpretations of the newspaper it is stated that tensions are almost visible, despite the agreement reached on personal documents and the guarantees of international mediators that peace must be maintained and that Pristina will not withdraw the unilateral implementation of the license plate measure. (see here)
The Serbian daily continues the narrative in the context of the tension of the situation by publishing an article yesterday (August 31) at noon, where it claims in a tendentious manner, emphasizing the tension of the situation in areas inhabited by Serbs. (see here)
Although the Serbian daily this morning (September 1) published an article where the tendentious interpretation of the existence of tensions takes place (see here), in the second article published today (September 1) assesses that the situation in the north is calm. (see here)
So, even though yesterday all the articles in the daily "Novosti" contained an interpretation in the context of the tension of the situation, today we have articles that assess the situation calmly.
The narrative in the context of the tense situation has also been reflected in other Serbian dailies. The newspaper "Kurir" yesterday published the article of the newspaper "Novosti" interpreting it in the context of the tense situation and that it is not known what will happen tomorrow. (see here)
Meanwhile, the daily "Kurir" in two articles published today (September 1) assesses that the situation is calm and everything is developing normally, where, according to the newspaper, we have a reinforcement of KFOR forces at administrative points. (see here, here)
Even the pro-government daily "Informer" reported today about a calm situation at the Jarinje and Bernjaka border crossings. (see here, here)
The information portal "B92" yesterday (August 31) also published the article of the daily "Novosti" about the departure of the Kosovo Police forces to Jarinje, (see here) and today he has published two articles where he assesses that the situation is calm and normal. (see here, here)
KFOR Commander Ferenc Kajari yesterday warned Kosovo citizens to be careful when it comes to news and not to fall victim to misinformation. In a video on Twitter, he called for caution when reading news and information by seeking other sources and confirming them. (see here)