Member of Parliament and Foreign Affairs Select Committee of the United Kingdom, Alicia Kearns, has been in Kosovo for three days now. Kearns was warmly welcomed by Kosovo officials and has been meeting with representatives of the government and the opposition, who are sparing no words of praise for the British MP. Kearns, who is known among the Serb community for linking the alleged arms smuggling to the SOC in Kosovo, the allegations for which KFOR then said there was no evidence, is now being congratulated by Pristina officials for „confirming the truth“. They showed Kearns the weapons seized in the north and even openly thanked her for „raising awareness“ about the alleged „religious facilities and clinics in the north being used to transport and store weapons.“ In the meantime, the Pristina media reported on Kearns’ visit, saying that she „was the first to raise the alarm about the large-scale Serb arming in churches.“
The British MP came to Kosovo this Friday at the invitation of the President of Kosovo.
According to the photos being shared on social networks, Kearns is seen as a kind of celebrity. Apart from ordinary citizens in Pristina and individuals, representatives of the government and the opposition also boasted of meeting with Kearns.
She was welcomed by Vjosa Osmani on Friday, with messages of gratitude that she is „a staunch ally and supporter of the people of Kosovo“.
„Your ongoing efforts in standing up against those who continue to undermine the hard-fought peace in our region is highly valued. We stand stronger with allies like you!“ said Osmani.
Osmani also thanked her for being dedicated to „raising awareness of the dangers and challenges Kosovo and the entire Western Balkans is facing.“
Osmani and Kearns also discussed the events in Banjska.
The Kosovo President told her that it was an „act of Serbian aggression against Kosovo“ and a „terrorist attack“, stating at the same time that the investigation of the authorities in Kosovo so far „proves that Serbia is behind the attack“.
And while seeking punitive measures against Serbia, Osmani also thanked Kearns for „constantly showing commitment to support Kosovo in affirming the truth.“
Yesterday, the British MP met with Kosovo Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, together with representatives of the Kosovo Police.
They met at a place where weapons recently seized in the north are stored.
„Together with Ms. Kearns, we toured and observed up close the weapons seized after the terrorist act of attempted annexation of the north of the Republic of Kosovo,“ Svecla said.
At the same time, the minister thanked her for raising „international awareness“ of the fact that „religious buildings and clinics in the north are used to transport and store weapons by criminal structures.“
They also visited the special units department.
Svecla also claims that Kearns had the opportunity to meet with police officers and discuss „challenges and opportunities to contribute to the fight against crime and increase security for all citizens without distinction.“
Like other Pristina officials, he was full of praise for the British MP.
„There are few who have taken such a firm and honest position in these times as Alicia Kearns, so we are grateful for her role in defending rights and truth,“ he said.
The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, met with Kearns today.
Kurti also thanked her for her „great support“ of Kosovo. According to his cabinet, at the meeting of the duo, it was emphasized that the main priority is the security of Kosovo and its citizens.
„It was said that after the September 24 terrorist and criminal attack, which was carried out by paramilitary groups with the patronage and participation of Serbia, the punishment is crucial for this event not to be repeated,“ the statement said.
Other government representatives also met with Kearns.
„When you are on the path of justice, equality and freedom, you are connected to friends and partners who support your goal and raise their voice for the truth,“ said MP Mimoza Kusari Lila.
She claims that Kearns is one „such friend“, and that it is her honour and privilege to „finally meet her“.
Kusari shared a photo with the British MP in the company of Kurti’s deputy, Besnik Bislimi and other government representatives.
Kosovo Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, glorified her meeting with Kearns, adding that she presented to her handicrafts allegedly made by sexual violence survivors during the war in Kosovo.
Kearns also met with representatives of the opposition.
The mayor of Pristina, Perparim Rama, also boasted about meeting with Kearns, as did the former ambassador of Kosovo to the US, and the current deputy chairman of the opposition party PDK, Vlora Citaku.
She thanked Great Britain, stating that Alicia is „a true champion of Kosovo and the Western Balkans“.
While Kosovo politicians describe Kearns as a „champion“, „true friend“ and someone who „affirms the truth“, for the Serbian Orthodox Church this MP is someone who spreads misinformation.
In early July, Kearns claimed that weapons are allegedly being smuggled from Serbia proper to Kosovo in ambulances and that they are allegedly „stored“ in the premises of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
This statement caused an avalanche of reactions on social networks, in Kosovo, but also in part of the regional and Serbian media, as well as the reactions of Belgrade, Pristina and the international community.
The Eparchy of Raska-Prizren announced that it is a dangerous accusation that criminalizes the Serbian Orthodox Church, which is also used by some Kosovo media to spread religious and ethnic hatred, which directly threatens clergy, monasticism and religious buildings.
They requested an urgent verification of the MP’s allegations, as well as the reaction of KFOR, and announced measures regarding two possible outcomes: either the most severe penalty of church officials in the case KFOR confirms their involvement, or a demand that this MP publicly apologize.
KFOR then announced that the Royal Fusilier Battalion reported the alleged presence of illegal weapons to the KFOR headquarters last year, but that no evidence was found.
„There isn’t any evidence also regarding the alleged smuggling conducted across the Administrative Border Line between Kosovo and Serbia into Orthodox churches in ambulances.“
In August, British Ambassador Nicholas Abbott, repeated in an interview for KoSSev that the United Kingdom Government shares KFOR’s position that they have no evidence that the Serbian Orthodox Church is involved in arms smuggling.
He emphasized that as an MP, she acted independently of her government and that she did not get the information from the UK government.
“This is not information that somehow has filtered through the Foreign Office. Yes, she has worked for the Foreign Office before. I think she has worked for the Ministry of Defence. But in terms of these particular allegations, this is really her responsibility.”
In late August, Patriarch Porfirije also commented on Kearns’ statements, that is, as it was said, of certain figures from the political life of Great Britain, for whom he claims made unsubstantiated statements about the SOC.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
