NEITHER EU NOR KOSOVO

01/20/2008, HCHRS

The ending of Kosovo negotiations under the auspices of the "Troika", and the decision of the international community not to further postpone the resolution of the status of Kosovo after their failiure is not only unaccepted by the political elite in Serbia, but is used as an excuse for blocking the accelerated accession to the European Union. Namely, in mid-December, when the attempt between Belgrade and Pristina to reach an agreeable solution was formally ended, Brussels has signalled Belgrade that, as early as January 2008, the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) could be signed, regardless of the fact that Serbia has practically suspended cooperation with the Hague Tribunal. This European benevolence has caused a reversed effect in Serbia, because the public discourse is dominated by the attitude that this allegedly hipocritical offer should be denied. The party of Prime Minister Kostunica (DSS), his coalition partners and the oppositional Serbian radical party are leaders in this stance. From the other camp lead by president Tadic (DS), a message that the negotiations on the status of Kosovo are still a realistic option is being sent to the public, stressing the disagreeance of certain members of the EU to recognize the independence of Kosovo.

Boris Tadic, President of Serbia:

The negotiations on the future status of Kosovo and Metohija should be continued in order to reach a compromise solution. He stressed that all decisions regarding the future status of Kosovo, having in mind questions of legality and legitimacy, must be completed and concluded in the Security Council itself. This applies to the decision on the future status of Kosovo and the possible alteration of the international mission in Kosovo. Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica defended Serbia's interests well at the session of the Security Council in New York.

Our job is to fight for most countries in the world not to accept independence declared in such manner, because it would not only be breaking international law, but also introducing a new element into the international order. Especially in this part of the world with its separatist movements. Even if Pristina decided to take such a step. I am convinced that, even in the case of unilateral declaration on the independence of Kosovo, it would not become a UN member because it would not be approved by the Security Council - there is no majority for such a decision. However, regardless of this, it would be an act producing great damage and dangers, not only for Serbia, but for the entire region.

(Tanjug, )

The attitude of Romanian officials against Kosovo's independence is not surprising. It is, above all, founded on Romanian national interests. Bucharest, also, finds Moscow being the only stronghold to Belgrade uneasy, so Bucharest's interest in facilitating easier approach of Brussels to Serbia makes sense. There is a long tradition of understanding between Bucharest and Belgrade. This was perhaps best formulated in the daily "ZIUA" on December 8th: "Whenever Serbia suffered, Romania didn't feel well, either".

(NIN, 20 December, 2007)

The Romanian Parliament has adopted a declaration dismissing the independence of Kosovo and Metohija with 238 in favor and only seven abstention votes! Yesterday, the Romanian Parliament has almost unanimously adopted a "political declaration" on the future status of Kosovo, in which a continuation of negotiations and organization of an EU summit on the topic is asked. This declaration categorically denies any mention of the independence of Serbia's southern province.

(Press, 21 December, 2007)

Momir Stojanovic, former chief of Military Intelligence:

Albanians are planning a swift action of ostracizing all non-Albanian population and KLA is visiting Albanian houses and bringing them weapons and equipment, says Momir Stojanovic.

(Glas javnosti, 20 December 2007)

Kurir, 20 December, 2007, Title: Great Albania by 2013.

Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisa promises all Albanians a new common state flag, and complimentary electricity in the case of the "Serbian blockage".

Vojislav Kostunica, Prime Minister of Serbia addressing UN Security Council:

Serbia has already made its choice and reached a decision. We will never and at no cost give up the rights established by the Charter of the UN, guaranteeing us internationally recognized borders of Serbia. We are honestly willing to immediately continue negotiations on living together with Kosovo Albanians within Serbia. If we could have lived together for ten centuries, how is it possible that today - when the whole world is pleading for multiethnicity - quite the opposite is categorically being stated. In the name of Serbia, I insist upon the fact that living together is possible, and, in Serbia's Constitution, Albanians are guaranteed essential autonomy, enabling them to freely make decisions about their lives, progress and their future.

(Politika, 20 December 2007)

Svetislav Velickovic, President of the Municipal Board for Protection of Human Rights:

We will not silently tolerate these two unpleasant events for Serbs in Bujanovac. We will ask for Nedzap Aliju, Department for public service and social activities chief to be held responsible, as well as for Vioce Sadiuk, for disregard of the law and the Constitution of Serbia. We will notify international organizations about this... Serbs don't find it easy to acknowledge the change of the general urbanistic plan which denies Serbs the right to build a Christian Orthodox temple in the center of Bujanovac.

(December 18, 2007, Svedok)

Ljiljana Smajlovic, Editor in Chief of Politika:

Never have western diplomats and journalists repeatedly asked the same question as on this New Year's Eve: "Are you Serb or European". Ljiljana Smajlovic answer in her commentary is that "being European means fighting for your rights and for your opinions, not deferring to the majority opinion only because it is of the majority..." Politika's editor in chief says about the question of European identity that she answers back with a question whether European ideas (which, in her opinion, certainly are present in Serbia), exist in Kosovo as well, "where there is a chance that an ex-murderer, drug vendor and war mobster can become a prominent Albanian politician in the world and a man who would lead the newly recognized country into Europe", continuing: "being European, in other words, means to dare face some opposing questions. If, 30 years ago, someone told us that this is what Europe would look like, that one of it's corners would be ethnically cleansed, under mafia rule and lead by a war criminal, we would have said - this is impossible, not even Stalin woud have allowed this. We would have said - Europe will never accept such a country..." "And, yes, we are Europeans because European ideas thrive here. We do not want to become part of the European Union so that we could sell Kosovo for a billion euros, but to fight for Kosovo within the EU... And if, next year, our minorities are chased out and our monasteries are burnt, let European bureaucrats hope that we be blamed for it. We have warned that separatist violence shouldn't be rewarded, that independance of self-proclaimed entities should not be recognized and that integrity of sovereign countries should not be trampled.

(Politika, 31 December 31, 2007 - 1 and 2 January, 2008).

Vojislav Kostunica, Prime Minister, message to EU:

On January 28 (when the possible signing of the SAA agreement with Serbia is to take place) EU will have to make a choice whether it will send a mission to Kosovo, or whether it will sign the Stabilization and Association Agreement with Serbia. We have reached the point when the EU will have to make a choice whether it wants the whole internationally recognized Serbia as its partner, or whether it wants to create a quasi-state entity in Serbian teritorry... If it makes a decision under growing pressure from the United States, it will be an illegal and, thus, an anti-European one about sending its mission. Therefore, on January 28, the EU chooses whether it wants to participate in dividing Serbia or whether it wants to sign the Agreement with Serbia as its partner. One excludes the other, so the EU cannot divide Serbia and sign the Agreement with Serbia in such condition at the same time".

(Politika, 1 January , 2008)

Vojislav Kostunica, Prime Minister:

Kosovo was never betrayed by any Serbian generation, and each has defended it within its power. That is why we should do as much as we can and as much as our duty and conscience allow us. And let some better future generations do more.

(Politika, 6 and 7 January, 2008)

Svetlana Vasovic-Mekina, Journalist:

A country that can't immediately carry out its planned politics should wait and work on its goal in the long term. Because, even if Kosovo were to be recognized by certain countries from the world and the EU, from the standpoint of international law, only Serbia has the power to legalize or dismiss the independence of Kosovo, this "European Taiwan", established according to the model of certain other quasi-states. And if in Europe and in the Balkans, many have waited this long for fulfillment of their dreams, than Serbia can, also, wait for its historical moment for anulling injustice. Has not the Czech Republic, after all, signed an international agrement by which it lost Sudet, yet this compliance was marked in history as a shameful act of illegal occupation?

(Politika, 6 and 7 January, 2008)

Srdjan Djuric, Adviser to Serbia's Prime Minister:

It would be good if Dimitri Rupel would not give himself such freedom to decide on the behalf of Serbia. Dimitri Rupel will find out on January 28 whether the dilemma of EU having to choose between signing the Agreement with Serbia and sending its mission for enforcing Ahtisaari's rejected plan is a false one. Serbia has its legitimately elected institutions which make decisions on Serbia's behalf, and it would be, at the least, proper for Rupel to acknowledge this fact, having in mind that neither he, nor Slovenia, will ever be able to speak on behalf of Serbia.

(Danas, 9 January, 2008)

Marijan Risticevic, Presidential candidate of the National peasants' party:

I am sending the army to Kosovo. If the British have defended the Falklands thousands of miles away, the President's obligation is to stand before the army, not reservists and recruits, but professional soldiers, and lead them to Kosovo as Prince Charls did at the Falklands... A peasant defends its estate with a hoe, the president defends the country with the army.

(Danas, 11 January, 2008)

Svetlana Vasovic-Mekina, Journalist:

In official Ljubljana, Serbia has support for prompt signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement. This would be great news if Slovenia's whole-hearted support to "Serbia's speedy integration to the EU" did not have a dark side which is often forgotten by Serbia's politicians, overwhelmed by the declarative support sent by the "EU chair". There isn't a politician in Slovenia not pleading for recognition of Kosovo's statehood.

(Politika, 13 January, 2008)