Serbianews

Račak and Dubrava left out

2006-07-09T04:37:00.000-07:00

8 July 2006 | 11:19 | Source: B92

THE HAGUE -- The trial of the six former Serbian officials will not include the cases of the killings in Račak, Padalište, or Dubrava prison.

This was decided by the Hague Tribunal Court Council. The presiding judge Ian Bonomy estimated that the Račak, Padalište and Dubrava events are not representative of the prosecution’s assertion that the Serb forces in the spring of 1999 conducted a campaign of terror against approximately 800.000 Kosovo Albanians by means of forcible deportation and murder.

Although the Račak incident, in which 45 Albanians died under unclear circumstances, was a direct cause for the bombardment of Serbia in 1999, the Hague prosecution said it will not dwell on this, but solely on the legal aspect of the events: ‘We still believe these three events should remain within the case, because they are important, because it is important that a court decision be made on these events. Unfortunately, as you know, we never reached a verdict on Račak and Dubrava in the Milošević trial.’ Anton Nikiforov, Prosecution spokesman, said.

The Hague prosecution expects to receive an official court statement, and to make its decision whether to appeal next week. Possible appeal would be considered by the Hague council of appeal.

107,000 registered refugees in Serbia

2006-06-22T01:17:00.000-07:00

20 June 2006 | 12:33 | Source: FoNet

BELGRADE -- There are 107,000 registered refugees living in Serbia.

Refugee Commissioner Dragiša Dabetić said that over 200,000 refugees have received citizenship and that the proposal for changes and additions to the Refugee Law will make their integration easier.

Dabetić said that the law does not include internally displaced refugees from Kosovo, who are not technically considered refugees even though they make up the majority of people housed currently in the 109 collective refugee centres.

He said that the changes in the Refugee Law will help solve the problems of finding residences for these people, and will help formally and legally separate refugees from those seeking political asylum.

Bosnian capital shaken by radical Islam

2006-06-21T03:00:00.000-07:00

by Rusmir Smajilhodzic
Fri Jun 16, 12:33 PM ET

SARAJEVO (AFP) - The people of Sarajevo, renowned for their pluralism, have been shaken after a series of incidents including the murder of a Muslim woman by her Islamic extremist son who questioned her faith.

Upholders of Bosnia's moderate version of Islam say the problem caused by an influx of hardline fighters during the country's 1992-1995 war has worsened in recent months, highlighted by the gruesome murder.

"Bosnia's tradition of Islam is tolerant, it promotes pluralism and we should not allow those representing a one-track ideology to teach us," says Jasmin Merdan.

The 26-year-old -- a practising Muslim who portrays himself as a "victim" of the Wahhabi ideology before abandoning it -- is one of the few courageous voices in Bosnia who dares to criticise extremism.

"They express their convictions with violence, introduce anarchy in mosques and preach intolerance," says Merdan, who recently founded an association in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo to fight against "those who deny basic teachings of Islam".

Supported by a handful of independent journalists, Merdan recently published a book condemning the harmful influence on Bosnian people of Wahhabism, a radical version of Islam.

Merdan says the book was "warmly welcomed by imams who do not dare to speak" but sparked death threats against him and pressure from members of the Wahhabi community.

Several incidents since the beginning of the year have shaken Sarajevo and confirmed Merdan's fears.

In February, a young man who recently converted to Wahhabism killed his mother reportedly because she refused to join him for morning prayers.

After the murder, the 23-year-old went to a "Wahhabi" mosque with blood on his hands and clothes, telling his fellow believers that he just made a "sacrifice to God".

In addition, several young couples have complained to the local media and police that they had been harassed by "bearded" men in parks while they were kissing and hugging.

According to Merdan, they were members of the so-called "Sharia militia" -- a group of self-styled religious police. However local police said they were not aware of the group's existence.

Wahhabism is a hardline version of Islam that originated in 18th century Saudi Arabia. It took its roots in Bosnia, whose Muslims are mostly followers of moderate Islam, in the country's 1992-1995 war.

During the conflict, hundreds of volunteers from Islamic countries -- known as "holy warriors" or mujahedin -- came to Bosnia to fight alongside its mainly Muslim army.

All of the foreign fighters were expected to leave the country following the war, but an unknown number of them remained and obtained Bosnian citizenship mostly by marrying local women.

"Since the war, the number of followers of Wahhabism has been growing," says Merdan, slamming the "passiveness" of Bosnia's laic and religious authorities.

Some 40 percent of Bosnia's 3.8 million inhabitants are Muslims. Orthodox Christian Serbs represent about 31 percent, while Roman Catholic Croats account for around 10 percent.

Merdan voiced regret that the Bosnian Muslim religious leader, Mustafa Ceric, has never publicly condemned the activities of the Wahhabists.

Meanwhile, the editor-in-chief of a Bosnian weekly, Vildana Selimbegovic, deplored the "isolation" of the few Muslim theologians who voice their dissatisfaction with the presence of Wahhabists.

"Politicians do no want to or are too afraid to talk. The majority of Muslims remain silent. It seems that they will remain silent until the devil claims his due," Selimbegovic wrote in the weekly Dani.

Sarajevo's imposing King Fahd Mosque, named after the late Saudi monarch who financed its construction, has in the past few years become the core of Bosnian followers of Wahhabism.

"Sometimes I ask myself whether I am really in Sarajevo. The number of bearded men and women dressed in chadors will soon be equal to other people," comments Adnan, a young Muslim who lives near the mosque.

Adnan says that the King Fahd Mosque has attracted a number of Wahhabi families from surrounding neighborhoods.

"They try the same recipe as in Sudan or other Arab countries," says Merdan.

"If we allow them, in 20 years, people like me will not be allowed to speak," he stresses.

Serbs Fade Away in Sarajevo

2006-06-21T02:58:00.000-07:00

While talk of a mass exodus may be nonsense, the Serb community faces certain decline in Bosnia's capital.

By Predrag Popovic in Sarajevo (Balkan Insight, 14 June 06)
Prominent Sarajevo Serbs have dismissed claims by Republika Srpska, RS, politicians that their community is set to leave the city imminently, but with falling numbers, a bleak economic outlook and continuing discrimination their prospects seem poor.

The number of Serbs in the capital has slumped from about 160,000 in the 1990s to between 20,000 and 40,000. The exact number is unknown as no census has taken place in Bosnia and Hercegovina since the war.

During the Serbian siege in the Nineties, the Serb community experienced random violence from the Bosnian army, which attacked, killed and evicted Serbs from their homes. While some put the number of fatalities in the hundreds, RS says thousands may have been killed.

Under international pressure, the Bosnia and Hercegovina Council of Ministers last month agreed to set up a truth commission for the city, tasked with uncovering the real number of victims of all ethnicities and the nature of their deaths.

While the politicians argued, some of the RS media added fuel to the fire by publishing dramatic accounts of the discrimination faced by Sarajevo Serbs and claiming a mass exodus was imminent.

Some leading Sarajevo Serbs, such as Nenad Markovic, coach to the national basketball team, have poured scorn on such claims. Markovic said he had no plans to leave the city he had lived in since the age of four.

"I went to kindergarten and primary school here, and passed through cadet and junior basketball teams; experienced my first love. Everything," he told Balkan Insight. "After all that, it would make no sense to go to Belgrade or Zagreb to seek my fortune just because I am not a Bosniak, a Muslim."

Markovic's decision to play for Bosnia’s national basketball team during the siege won him as much admiration among Bosniaks as dislike among nationalist Serbs.

"When I go to Bileca [in RS], they insult me," he said. "The same happens in Banja Luka . [But] I try hard to make every guest feel comfortable in Sarajevo, and prevent local fans from insulting them."

Serbs left Sarajevo in greatest numbers after the 1995 Dayton peace agreement fixed the boundaries of the two new entities, the RS and the Federation, leaving the capital in the latter.

In February and March 1996, most Serbs followed the advice of the leaders of the Serbian Democratic Party, SDS, and left for the RS or for Serbia.

Some who stayed now believe the exodus was unnecessary and blame the politicians who prompted it.

"The biggest ethnic cleanser of Serbs in Sarajevo was [a one-time SDS chief] Momcilo Krajisnik," said Veljko Droca, of the city's Serbian Civic Council.

"As many as 70,000 Serbs left [the suburbs of] Ilijas, Vogosca, Hadzici and Ilidza because of Krajisnik. Where did they go? To Srebrenica, Bratunac, to some cellars and garages, or to Bosniak houses."

Srdjan Dizdarevic, local chair of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, said people faced pressure both from fellow Serbs and Bosniaks to leave.

"After [Bosnia 's former president] Alija Izetbegovic said all those who did not carry arms during the war could stay, everybody got scared," he told Balkan Insight. "Everybody knew all those who had not run away had been mobilised."

Official statistics suggest many Serbs have since returned to Sarajevo.

According to the UN's refugee arm, the UNHCR, 81,820 Serbs had come back by March this year. But the figure is deceptive as it includes those who did so temporarily in order to retain tenancy rights to flats and houses.

"Often it turns out that instead of a whole family, only one family member actually returned," Bakir Jalovcic, UNHCR spokesman in Bosnia, told Balkan Insight.

A survey by the Helsinki Committee says Serbs now comprise more than ten per cent of the population in only two of the city's municipal districts.

"Ethnic cleansing has succeeded in Bosnia and Hercegovina," said Dizdarevic. "Before the war, only one-fifth of all Bosnian municipalities had an absolute majority of any one ethnic group."

Droca, of the Serbian Civic Council, said the number of Serbs is likely to fall further, as most of those remaining are pensioners, many of whom stay on only because Federation pensions are higher than those in the RS.

Younger Serbs have little hope of employment in the civil service - the main source of jobs. Although by law, state institutions must employ a proportionate number of Serbs, Bosniaks and Croats, based on the 1991 census, the rules are mostly a dead letter. In Sarajevo, they are not applied to the health and education department or to municipalities that straddle both entities, such as the district of Ilidza.

According to Dizdarevic, the district of Ilidza, which was 43 per cent Bosniak and 37 per cent Serb before the war, employs 256 Bosniaks in the administration and only 13 Croats and 12 Serbs.

"The government hides behind the laws, reluctant to make a gesture of goodwill," said Dizdarevic, adding that the ruling nationalist parties were most to blame. "Wherever they dominate, they refuse to lend an ear to minorities and their problems. However, when they are the minority, then they fight vigorously for respect of human rights."

Given Bosnia's unemployment rate of around 40 per cent, the pressure to secure government jobs is relentless - and Serbs are at the back of the queue.

The plight of Dragojla Vukovic, a trained nurse, is typical. She has been out of work for three years and her husband is also jobless.
"I want to live in Sarajevo ," she said, "and I have heard the canton will employ 150 nurses, so hopefully I will be one of them.

"I would like to believe there is no discrimination based on national and religious background, but I am not so sure."

Milena and her husband Ljubisa are in a similar situation. "There are no jobs and there is no life for us here," said Ljubisa, a lawyer.

When the war started, Ljubisa was called up into the police, while Milena went to live in Herceg Novi, in Montenegro, with their two young children.

Now they are all back in their old apartment in Ilidza but the hunt for work has been in vain.

"I would like to leave but we have nowhere to go," said Ljubisa. "We tried to settle in Montenegro but it didn't work out. Now I do whatever I can but there is no luck for me. For us Serbs, Sarajevo is not a city to live in."

Milena is also a trained lawyer and her story resembles that of her husband. “I applied for at least a hundred vacancies - but no result," she said. "Unemployment is huge but it also seems they don't like us because of our ethnic background. No one said this straight to our faces, but our job applications are often discarded for minor reasons.

"I hope it changes for the better, for the sake of our children who are going to school and growing up here."
Bosnia's economic misery and the relocation of many companies from Sarajevo means jobs in the private sector are scarce. Moreover, Bosniaks expelled from eastern Bosnia by Serbs tend to get first preference.

Dizdarevic says anti-Serbian feeling is much more covert and less violent than it was in the Nineties, but it is there nevertheless.

"It can boil down to tolerating illegal building more for Bosniaks than Serbs," he said. "Some incidents do occur but these are mostly just messages sprayed on walls as graffiti."

Ljubica Zikic, a novelist who won a literary award in Bosnia for her novel, Images of Disjointed Time, says jobs often appear to go to people whose only qualification was their activity during the war.

Zikic, who works for the Serbian educational and literary society Prosvjeta, said she knew of one head of a Sarajevo municipality who got his job solely because he supplied the municipal building with coal during the siege.

"There are many such people," she said.

Zikic said her absence from the city during the siege, which she spent in Slovenia and Serbia, had counted against her ever since. When she received her award, she says, the media shunned her. "Yet I have lived here for more than 40 years," she protested.

Yet all is not gloom for the Serbs in Sarajevo. In spite of the difficulties experienced by the older residents of the city, some have moved to Sarajevo from Serbia itself since the war, and enjoy the atmosphere.

One is Dragana Erjavec, a journalist who moved from Belgrade in 2001 and has remained here ever since.

"I never intended to stay in this city but things in life simply arrange themselves on their own," she told Balkan Insight

Sarajevo, she realised, was a city where she could "chill out".

"I don't want to say it is better or worse than Belgrade - it just has a different lifestyle," she said.

Erjavec said she had experienced no discrimination on account of coming from Belgrade.

"On the contrary, people in Sarajevo, in spite of all those gruesome things that happened, love Belgrade, and I am glad younger people are rebuilding the bond between the two cities," she said.

"It is great for me in Sarajevo , and as long as it is like that, I will stay here."

Predrag Popovic is a Balkan Insight contributor. Balkan Insight is BIRN'S online publication.

Kosovo: UN concerned at persecution of minorities

2006-06-21T02:53:00.000-07:00

Saturday, 17 June 2006, 10:53 am
Press Release: United Nations
Kosovo: UN refugee agency remains concerned at persecution risk for minorities

While removing two Roma communities from the list of people considered at risk in Kosovo, the United Nations refugee agency remains concerned for more than 400,000 Serbs, other Roma and Albanians who could face persecution if they returned to places where they are a minority in the multi-ethnic Serbian province.

“The fragile security environment and serious limitations these people face in exercising their fundamental human rights shows they should continue to be considered at risk of persecution and should continue to benefit from international protection in countries of asylum,” UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesman Ron Redmond told a news briefing in Geneva.

“Return of these minorities should be strictly voluntary, based on fully informed individual decisions,” he added of UNHCR’s latest position paper aimed at guiding states and others making decisions about whether people from Kosovo should continue to receive international protection in an asylum country.

The Ashkaelia and Egyptian Roma communities were taken off the list thanks to positive developments within the inter-ethnic environment, but the paper says their returns should still be approached in a phased manner due to the limited absorption capacity of Kosovo, where Albanians outnumber Serbs and others by 9 to 1.

There are still more than 200,000 refugees and persons of concern to UNHCR from Kosovo in western European and other countries, with an equal number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Serbia, and some 18,000 persons of concern in neighbouring Montenegro.

The report notes that although the overall security situation in Kosovo has progressively improved over the past year, it remains fragile and unpredictable. Minorities continue to suffer from ethnically motivated or criminal incidents. Many incidents remain unreported as the victims often fear reprisals from perpetrators.

Serbs and Roma continue to face serious obstacles in accessing essential services in health, education, justice and public administration. Discrimination as well as low representation of minorities in the administrative structures further discourages minorities from exercising their basic rights.

The UN has administered Kosovo ever since North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO) forces drove out Yugoslav troops in 1999 amid grave rights abuses in ethnic fighting. Talks are now underway to determine its future status and the return of Serb refugees is seen as a crucial factor in reaching a decision. Independence and autonomy are among options that have been mentioned. Serbia rejects independence.

Church vandalised in Obilić

2006-06-19T02:56:00.000-07:00

19 June 2006 | 09:52 | Source: Beta

OBILIĆ -- Unknown vandals demolished a church in the centre of Obilić, Kosovo and Metohija Radio reported.

According to reports, four crosses were removed from the church and taken, as was the chimney on the right side of the church and part of the roofing.

Municipal Coordinator in Obilić Mirče Jakovljević said that this is yet another attack on everything that is Serbian in Obilić. Jakovljević said that the church vandalism is yet another argument that proves that the international community cannot and does not have the power to stop such acts.

“This is further evidence that Serbs need new municipalities in order to stay here. If this does not happen, then villages such as Obilić will be ethnically clean very soon. We are questioning whether KFOR is prepared to secure safety and security for us and our children.” Jakovljević said.

No one from the Kosovo Police Service was willing to comment on the incident. This same church in Obilić was set on fire on March 18, 2004.

Who Lost Kosovo?

2006-06-16T01:48:00.000-07:00

By Cliff Kincaid | June 15, 2006

Senator John Kerry, the defeated 2004 Democratic candidate for president, was the subject of a May 28 New York Times article about how he is once again trying to rebut allegations about his military service made by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. With a sympathetic media, such as that represented by the Times story, Kerry thinks he might be able to rehabilitate himself and try another presidential run. The Times endorsed Kerry for president in 2004.

But Kerry may have some competition. On Memorial Day, another former Democratic presidential candidate, retired General Wesley Clark, tried to rewrite the history of the war in Kosovo in order to make himself into a great military hero. "Last week," he said, "I returned to Kosovo for the first time since I retired from military service. For me, this trip was very personal. In 1999, I commanded the NATO forces that stopped the genocide against ethnic Albanians by Slobodan Milosevic and his Serbian forces."

That sounds pretty impressive-commanding the forces that stopped genocide. Too bad it's not true.

Genocide is defined as seeking to eliminate an entire group of people. But the number of dead found in Kosovo after the war was said to be only 2,108. That was the figure given by Carla del Ponte, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, at a December 1999 press conference. But it wasn't clear they were all Kosovo Albanians. Indeed, many may have been Serbs. That's a terrible loss of life, but it's no genocide.

That figure also didn't include the number of Serbs killed in Serbia by the NATO mission commanded by Clark and ordered by President Clinton. The mission was both illegal and unconstitutional, since Clinton never received the authorization of Congress to conduct the war.

In his message, Clark went on to tell another whopper. Referring to the NATO campaign, he said, "This was an example of how we CAN do it right: diplomacy first, strong leadership, working with others, and using force only as a last resort. We had a plan for what to do after the operation before we began air strikes."

Working with others? Congress was bypassed. And what was that plan? Serbia today is being dismembered, so that a Muslim state in Kosovo can be established. Clark didn't mention that most of the Albanians in Kosovo who want independence are Muslims.

He referred his supporters to photos of his visit to Kosovo. Previously, however, Clark had posed for a photo with Hashim Thaci, leader of the terrorist Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), also known by the initials UCK. This is the group laying siege to Serbian Christian churches in Kosovo today.

For those interested in this largely untold (by the media) story, go to the website of Bill Murray, chairman of the Religious Freedom Coalition, who visited the area in August 2004 and filed this stunning report.

Our media are ready and eager to pounce on Bush whenever he is perceived to have made a misstatement, but a retired General and former Democratic presidential candidate tells blatant lies about Kosovo and gets away with it. In fact, he uses his participation in this illegal and unconstitutional war as a badge of honor.

Bush, of course, will be the favorite target for some time to come. Typical is Frank Rich's forthcoming book about the Bush presidency, The Greatest Story Ever Sold: The Decline and Fall of Truth from 9/11 to Katrina.

That will be the media theme at least until after the November congressional elections.

Rich and his colleagues will try to make you ignore the fact that while Bush has had a policy of fighting terrorists in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, Clinton, Clark & Company had a policy of helping them gain political power through false charges of genocide.

Cliff Kincaid is the Editor of the AIM Report

(text taken from: http://www.aim.org/media_monitor/4643_0_2_0_C/)

The lingering death of Yugoslavia

2006-05-28T06:57:00.000-07:00

Montenegro this week became the latest Balkan region to vote for independence. But what have the trappings of statehood done for the rest of Tito's former empire? Peter Popham reports

Published: 27 May 2006
Once upon a time there was a plausibly modern, enlightened Communist country called Yugoslavia which manufactured cars called Yugos and staged the Winter Olympics and which for many, including millions of Western holidaymakers, was the acceptable face of Eastern Europe, the bit that worked and that we could do business with - all dominated by the benign Mr Tito.

And today? With the decision for independence last week of tiny Montenegro, Yugoslavia is no more. Instead there is a multiplying proliferation of statelets that belong more to the world of Tintin than to what was once thought of as modern Europe.

Tintin would have felt perfectly at home in Podgorica, the Montenegrin capital. The Belgian boy detective, you will remember, arrived in the Balkan kingdom of Syldavia by aeroplane, dropped through a trap door in the fuselage by the dastardly twin brother of Professor Alembick, and landing in a bale of hay. Once there he encountered a world of revolutionaries, spies, moustachioed bandits and anarchists, all in the shade of the gigantic mountains.

Today the grandson of the last king of Montenegro travels regularly to the nation's tiny former capital, Cetinje, by motorcycle, from Paris. He denies he aims to revive the monarchy, but who could be sure? The leader of the country is a musclebound character in a chalk-stripe suit who has been a Communist and an apostle of Serbian expansionism and is now a Montenegrin nationalist. Today he mutters angrily about Serbian "meddling".

In reality (according to the testimony of an Italian gangster) he is a big-time cigarette smuggler. But he is not the only bad hat in town: the Russians are coming! They have bought the country's only factory and huge strips of the beautiful coastline.

It is a country out of comic opera or a period cartoon, with a population one-tenth the size of London. But in a year or two, if Montenegro's tall, sleek, handsome and wily Prime Minister, Milo Djukanovic, gets his way, his sovereign nation will sit alongside the UK, Germany, France and the rest in the councils of the European Union. And jostling behind him in the queue to join will be several other even more improbable specimens.

Yugoslavia ended, but what came into being? We have no handy term for what has replaced the Union of the South Slavs. We are back to the geographical term, the Balkans - from which derives the verb "to balkanise", which means "to break up into small, mutually hostile political units". We are back at the view of the Balkans immortalised by Hergé: a collection of tiny, exotic countries, racked by violence and intrigue, each with their own proud and ancient traditions but ultimately indistinguishable from one another.

And while the end of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro was inevitable, the Balkans have not achieved steady state. That churning, balkanising momentum is still at work. The break-up proceeds. Next up, heartened by the Montenegrins' example, is Kosovo, where the overwhelming Albanian majority favours independence. The Kosovars are expected to get their wish by the end of this year.

And this will set a precedent, because unlike all the bits of Yugoslavia that have broken off so far, Kosovo is not an autonomous republic within the Yugoslav federation but was merely a province within Serbia. When Kosovo breaks away, other disgruntled minorities in other corners of the Balkans will see their moment and hope that time is on their side.

The most universally execrated is Republika Srpska (aka Bosnian Serb Republic), the Serb mini-state that was fashioned by Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic during the Bosnian war as part of the Milosevic fantasy of a Greater Serbia. That mini-state, partially brought into existence by the massacre in Srebrenica, a town that today is firmly within Republika Srpska territory, may have no serious hope of international recognition, but it remains a thorn in the flesh of the High Representative in Sarajevo. And it remains a semi-spectral presence within the immensely complicated polity of Bosnia. It provides, for example, one of the republic's three presidents.

And there are others waiting in the wings. As Kosovo prepares to go independent, the Serbs who constitute the overwhelming majority of the population of the region of northern Kosovo called Mitrovica dream of getting their own state, too. Serbs clustered in the north of Montenegro who resent the decision to break away from Belgrade have separatist dreams of their own, as do Albanians in the south of that republic, and as do Albanians in Macedonia, where a civil war boiled up in 2001.

No one imagines the balkanisation of the Balkans will go that far. But then 15 years ago no one predicted the independence of Yugoslav republics such as Slovenia and Croatia, which are now on their way to joining the European Union. And what's wrong, after all, with states the size of Elephant and Castle or Maida Vale? Perhaps we should all live in countries that size.

From the cane chairs of the long pavement café of the Crna Gora Hotel in the centre of Podgorica, it's hard to disagree. On first blush Montenegro seems an excellent idea, and a very satisfactory little country.

Podgorica, the Montenegrin capital, formerly one of Yugoslavia's several Titograds, was bombed flat by the British during the war, though a small Ottoman old town survived. But although the architecture is not up to much (the Communists did their best to vandalise it with tower blocks), it is a bewitching town in the May sunshine, full of parks with mature trees, with two fast-flowing, azure rivers and a café life to rival anywhere else in the Mediterranean (and reinforcing the Montenegrins' reputation for idleness).

Rising behind the town are the mountains for which the country is named, and which account for the fact that this was the only corner of the Balkans that the Turks never conquered ("They were lazy, too," explained a Belgrade friend). Go up into the mountains and you find ski slopes, the deepest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon, rivers that are fantastic for rafting; head for the coast and there is a fjord, bizarrely misplaced from Scandinavia, and picturesque islands and inlets reminiscent of Japan's Inland Sea. There is the huge Skadar lake, shared with Albania, that is home to hundreds of exotic varieties of birds.

All this and no Serbia: by severing the link with Big Brother, Montenegro at a stroke removes the taint of war crimes and expansionism (even though both Slobodan Milosevic and Radovan Karadzic came from Montenegro). But Serbia has hospitals and colleges and universities far more advanced than those in Montenegro. Ambitious and clever Montenegrins head to Belgrade to study. Sick Montenegrins head to Belgrade to get better. Till now they have not paid a bean for the privilege. Negotiations on the future status of clever or sick Montenegrins in Serbia have not yet started, but everyone expects the Montenegrins will henceforth have to pay. Hence at least a proportion of the 45 per cent of votes against independence.

Which brings us to the key question: where is the money coming from? Montenegro has only one productive factory, a belching Soviet-style aluminium manufacturing complex outside Podgorica - recently bought by the Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. The nation's tourism potential is obvious - but long stretches of the coast have been bought up by Russians. There is no guarantee that this bewitching corner of the Adriatic will not be destroyed by hideous hotels within a few years.

During the war, when the Yugoslav economy ground to a halt, Montenegro fell back on what has long been an important standby, smuggling. In particular the large-scale smuggling of cigarettes, very cheap here and expensive everywhere else in Western Europe, became rampant - and according to the testimony of an Italian mafia supergrass, Gerardo Cuomo, the trade involved Milo Djukanovic himself, the formerly Communist politician who has run Montenegro for 16 years.

Mr Djukanovic denied the allegations flatly, and cannot be questioned in court because of parliamentary immunity. But the claimed involvement of the most powerful man in the country in organised crime is only the most glaring irregularity. Of Montenegro's population of 650,000, only 120,000 are formally employed, the rest working in the black market or in smuggling. Hence the spectre of the new mini-states, even the pretty ones like Montenegro, becoming what one diplomat called "sovereign kleptocracies", states run by and for the benefit of wealthy criminals.

Kosovo presents a far starker example. Criminal gangs "operate with impunity," according to Marek Antoni Nowicki, who was the UN's international ombudsman in Kosovo until 2005. "You have a criminal state in real power. It needs underground illegal structures to survive. These networks can rely on the weakness of the public institutions to sanction their operations."

And while in Montenegro the smuggling is counterbalanced by the new hotels and resorts, Kosovo has nothing else to fall back on. International aid is complemented by the profits from cigarette, cement and petrol smuggling.

Prostitution is the other core business, catering to the peacekeepers. What happens when they leave is anybody's guess.

Once upon a time there was a plausibly modern, enlightened Communist country called Yugoslavia which manufactured cars called Yugos and staged the Winter Olympics and which for many, including millions of Western holidaymakers, was the acceptable face of Eastern Europe, the bit that worked and that we could do business with - all dominated by the benign Mr Tito.

And today? With the decision for independence last week of tiny Montenegro, Yugoslavia is no more. Instead there is a multiplying proliferation of statelets that belong more to the world of Tintin than to what was once thought of as modern Europe.

Tintin would have felt perfectly at home in Podgorica, the Montenegrin capital. The Belgian boy detective, you will remember, arrived in the Balkan kingdom of Syldavia by aeroplane, dropped through a trap door in the fuselage by the dastardly twin brother of Professor Alembick, and landing in a bale of hay. Once there he encountered a world of revolutionaries, spies, moustachioed bandits and anarchists, all in the shade of the gigantic mountains.

Today the grandson of the last king of Montenegro travels regularly to the nation's tiny former capital, Cetinje, by motorcycle, from Paris. He denies he aims to revive the monarchy, but who could be sure? The leader of the country is a musclebound character in a chalk-stripe suit who has been a Communist and an apostle of Serbian expansionism and is now a Montenegrin nationalist. Today he mutters angrily about Serbian "meddling".

In reality (according to the testimony of an Italian gangster) he is a big-time cigarette smuggler. But he is not the only bad hat in town: the Russians are coming! They have bought the country's only factory and huge strips of the beautiful coastline.

It is a country out of comic opera or a period cartoon, with a population one-tenth the size of London. But in a year or two, if Montenegro's tall, sleek, handsome and wily Prime Minister, Milo Djukanovic, gets his way, his sovereign nation will sit alongside the UK, Germany, France and the rest in the councils of the European Union. And jostling behind him in the queue to join will be several other even more improbable specimens.

Yugoslavia ended, but what came into being? We have no handy term for what has replaced the Union of the South Slavs. We are back to the geographical term, the Balkans - from which derives the verb "to balkanise", which means "to break up into small, mutually hostile political units". We are back at the view of the Balkans immortalised by Hergé: a collection of tiny, exotic countries, racked by violence and intrigue, each with their own proud and ancient traditions but ultimately indistinguishable from one another.

And while the end of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro was inevitable, the Balkans have not achieved steady state. That churning, balkanising momentum is still at work. The break-up proceeds. Next up, heartened by the Montenegrins' example, is Kosovo, where the overwhelming Albanian majority favours independence. The Kosovars are expected to get their wish by the end of this year.

And this will set a precedent, because unlike all the bits of Yugoslavia that have broken off so far, Kosovo is not an autonomous republic within the Yugoslav federation but was merely a province within Serbia. When Kosovo breaks away, other disgruntled minorities in other corners of the Balkans will see their moment and hope that time is on their side.

The most universally execrated is Republika Srpska (aka Bosnian Serb Republic), the Serb mini-state that was fashioned by Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic during the Bosnian war as part of the Milosevic fantasy of a Greater Serbia. That mini-state, partially brought into existence by the massacre in Srebrenica, a town that today is firmly within Republika Srpska territory, may have no serious hope of international recognition, but it remains a thorn in the flesh of the High Representative in Sarajevo. And it remains a semi-spectral presence within the immensely complicated polity of Bosnia. It provides, for example, one of the republic's three presidents.

And there are others waiting in the wings. As Kosovo prepares to go independent, the Serbs who constitute the overwhelming majority of the population of the region of northern Kosovo called Mitrovica dream of getting their own state, too. Serbs clustered in the north of Montenegro who resent the decision to break away from Belgrade have separatist dreams of their own, as do Albanians in the south of that republic, and as do Albanians in Macedonia, where a civil war boiled up in 2001.
No one imagines the balkanisation of the Balkans will go that far. But then 15 years ago no one predicted the independence of Yugoslav republics such as Slovenia and Croatia, which are now on their way to joining the European Union. And what's wrong, after all, with states the size of Elephant and Castle or Maida Vale? Perhaps we should all live in countries that size.

From the cane chairs of the long pavement café of the Crna Gora Hotel in the centre of Podgorica, it's hard to disagree. On first blush Montenegro seems an excellent idea, and a very satisfactory little country.

Podgorica, the Montenegrin capital, formerly one of Yugoslavia's several Titograds, was bombed flat by the British during the war, though a small Ottoman old town survived. But although the architecture is not up to much (the Communists did their best to vandalise it with tower blocks), it is a bewitching town in the May sunshine, full of parks with mature trees, with two fast-flowing, azure rivers and a café life to rival anywhere else in the Mediterranean (and reinforcing the Montenegrins' reputation for idleness).

Rising behind the town are the mountains for which the country is named, and which account for the fact that this was the only corner of the Balkans that the Turks never conquered ("They were lazy, too," explained a Belgrade friend). Go up into the mountains and you find ski slopes, the deepest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon, rivers that are fantastic for rafting; head for the coast and there is a fjord, bizarrely misplaced from Scandinavia, and picturesque islands and inlets reminiscent of Japan's Inland Sea. There is the huge Skadar lake, shared with Albania, that is home to hundreds of exotic varieties of birds.

All this and no Serbia: by severing the link with Big Brother, Montenegro at a stroke removes the taint of war crimes and expansionism (even though both Slobodan Milosevic and Radovan Karadzic came from Montenegro). But Serbia has hospitals and colleges and universities far more advanced than those in Montenegro. Ambitious and clever Montenegrins head to Belgrade to study. Sick Montenegrins head to Belgrade to get better. Till now they have not paid a bean for the privilege. Negotiations on the future status of clever or sick Montenegrins in Serbia have not yet started, but everyone expects the Montenegrins will henceforth have to pay. Hence at least a proportion of the 45 per cent of votes against independence.

Which brings us to the key question: where is the money coming from? Montenegro has only one productive factory, a belching Soviet-style aluminium manufacturing complex outside Podgorica - recently bought by the Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. The nation's tourism potential is obvious - but long stretches of the coast have been bought up by Russians. There is no guarantee that this bewitching corner of the Adriatic will not be destroyed by hideous hotels within a few years.

During the war, when the Yugoslav economy ground to a halt, Montenegro fell back on what has long been an important standby, smuggling. In particular the large-scale smuggling of cigarettes, very cheap here and expensive everywhere else in Western Europe, became rampant - and according to the testimony of an Italian mafia supergrass, Gerardo Cuomo, the trade involved Milo Djukanovic himself, the formerly Communist politician who has run Montenegro for 16 years.

Mr Djukanovic denied the allegations flatly, and cannot be questioned in court because of parliamentary immunity. But the claimed involvement of the most powerful man in the country in organised crime is only the most glaring irregularity. Of Montenegro's population of 650,000, only 120,000 are formally employed, the rest working in the black market or in smuggling. Hence the spectre of the new mini-states, even the pretty ones like Montenegro, becoming what one diplomat called "sovereign kleptocracies", states run by and for the benefit of wealthy criminals.

Kosovo presents a far starker example. Criminal gangs "operate with impunity," according to Marek Antoni Nowicki, who was the UN's international ombudsman in Kosovo until 2005. "You have a criminal state in real power. It needs underground illegal structures to survive. These networks can rely on the weakness of the public institutions to sanction their operations."

And while in Montenegro the smuggling is counterbalanced by the new hotels and resorts, Kosovo has nothing else to fall back on. International aid is complemented by the profits from cigarette, cement and petrol smuggling.

Prostitution is the other core business, catering to the peacekeepers. What happens when they leave is anybody's guess.

(taken from: http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article620190.ece)

Croatia champs aid Hague suspects

2006-05-15T07:41:00.001-07:00

| 11:32 May 15 | BBC

ZAGREB -- Croatia's football champions are to donate proceeds to help Croatian war crimes suspects at The Hague.

Dinamo Zagreb's Maksimir stadium was filled to its 45,000 capacity, after the club urged as many fans as possible to attend Saturday's game.

They saw the team complete a convincing win of the league championship.

Croatia's most notable defendant in The Hague is former general Ante Gotovina, accused of atrocities against Serbs in 1995.

Prominent individuals and institutions in Croatia have expressed support for Croatian war crime suspects, but perhaps not in such a public way.

Before the game a short film was shown marking the 16th anniversary of the infamous football riot which took place between Serbian and Croatian fans in May 1990 and which many still see as a symbol of the break-up of the former Yugoslavia.

Defendants in The Hague receive support in varying amounts from their home governments as well as donations from individuals.

Prosecutors at The Hague have refused to comment on Dinamo's plans, saying it is a private matter.

B92 celebrates 17th birthday

2006-05-15T07:41:00.000-07:00

| 09:21 May 15 | B92

BELGRADE -- B92 celebrates 17 years since its founding today.

To mark the anniversary, TV B92 will be presenting new programming to its viewers.

According to Editor-in-Chief Veran Matić, there will be new features in both informative and entertainment programs.

“We are bringing in a new morning television show ‘Dizanje’ to make the waking and start of the work day more positive for our viewers and to help them alleviate all the hardships of the day with information given in a pleasant ambient. There will be a half-hour news show at 4 pm, in order to increase the informative programming, and at 8 pm, for the next several months, we will be showing 25 episodes of the very popular television show ‘4400.’” Matić said.

Koštunica in Germany

2006-05-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

| 14:55 May 15 | Beta

BELGRADE, BERLIN -- Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica begins a two-day visit to Germany today.

Koštunica will meet today with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Affairs Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier to talk about the current situation in Serbia and the region.

The Serbian Prime Minister will be speaking at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation headquarters, which is associated with the conservative Christian-Democratic Union, the organisation which invited Koštunica to Berlin. He will be speaking on the topic of “Serbia on the road to the EU.”

Koštunica will travel to Düsseldorf tomorrow where he will meet with regional government officials and representatives of German companies that are currently doing business in Serbia.

He will also be speaking with Deutsche Bank officials regarding investment possibilities in Serbia.

Accompanying Kostunica on the trip will be Serbian Foreign Economic Relations Minister Milan Parivodić, Economic Minister Predrag Bubalo and Capital Investments Minister Velimir Ilić.

Participating voters oppose Ugljanin

2006-05-15T07:39:00.001-07:00

| 12:18 May 15 | B92

NOVI PAZAR -- An overwhelming percentage of participating voters in Novi Pazar stands firmly against Municipal President Sulejman Ugljanin.

According to the results of this unofficial referendum, 30.6 per cent of registered voters participated and 98.3 per cent of them voted against Ugljanin. According to the statistics, 20,833 voters voted “yes” in opposition of Ugljanin and 283 voted “no.”

There are 69,243 registered voters in Novi Pazar. The referendum was organised by the political parties that made up the majority in the Novi Pazar Parliament before the Serbian Government disbanded it and named Ugljanin president.

The Novi Pazar Government was disbanded last month and the new, temporary administration formed a new municipal elections commission which decided that the opposition referendum would be pushed back from May 14 to June 25.

The parties that made up the parliamentary majority earlier do not recognise the commission or the postponement of the referendum and held the referendum for opposing Ugljanin this weekend.

The voting was peaceful and no incidents were reported. Many citizens were confused by the situation, especially by the voting headquarters, some of which were set up on street corners and in private homes.

The results show that Ugljanin’s supporters are waiting to participate in the June 25 referendum.

Montenegro airlines cancels flights

2006-05-15T07:39:00.000-07:00

| 15:23 May 15 | FoNet

BELGRADE -- Montenegro airlines has cancelled a total of 34 flights scheduled in between May 19-22.

Nikola Tesla Airport in Belgrade has announced that Montenegro airlines will not be flying to Belgrade, Zurich, or Podgorica on the aforementioned dates.

There was no reason given for the cancellations but it has been stated earlier that Montenegrin citizens living outside the country will be enabled to return in order to participate in the May 21 independence referendum.

Pre-referendum tensions heighten in Montenegro

2006-05-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

| 09:36 May 15 | FoNet

MOJKOVAC -- Massive fights, gun fire and threats have all been reported in North Montenegro, as the referendum date approaches.

Montenegro independence activist Milan Filipović’s car was set on fire in front of his family home. The automobile had a Montenegrin coat-of-arms on its license plate.

Filipović said that his car was set on fire for “clearly political reasons.”

The Bjelo Polje and Mojkovac police forces are investigating the incident, but did not wish to release and information to the press.

The Montenegrin independence referendum will be held on May 21.

A Serbian state within Montenegro?

2006-05-13T03:15:00.000-07:00

| 09:42 May 12 | FoNet

BELGRADE -- The Serbian Radical Party will support the movement for creating a Serbian state within Montenegro.

According to party leader Tomislav Nikolić, if Montenegro gains independence, his party will support the movement for creating a Serbian state within the borders of the independent state of Montenegro.

He accused the Montenegrin parliamentary officials of behaving hypocritically and holding meetings while Serbia-Montenegro is falling apart. He also said that regardless of the referendum’s outcome, relations between Serbia and Montenegro will not remain normal after May 21.

“I am not surprised by the politicians in Montenegro, but I am surprised by the officials in Serbia who continue to make decisions regarding the federal union while the Montenegrin representatives continue to adamantly claim that they are not a part of this union.” Nikolić said during a meeting of the Serbia-Montenegro Parliament.

He also addressed Montenegrin officials who support independence, stating that “their country” will never have good relations with Serbia if it becomes independent.

Kosovo church demolished

2006-05-13T03:14:00.000-07:00

| 16:42 May 12 | B92, Beta, Radio KiM

odujevo -- Unidentified individuals have vandalised the Saint Ilija Church in Podujevo.

According to Radio KiM, the attackers dismantled the doors of the church, which is currently being restored, and broke a majority of its windows. Radio KiM Editor-in-Chief Živojin Rakočević told B92 that the church was set on fire in March 2004, and that the restoration is being financed by the Council of Europe.

“During a visit to the church, we noticed that the doors were dismantled and that the windows were broken. Obviously, the attack occurred either yesterday or the day before, and someone changed the glass, but in several parts of the church where this was not possible to be changed quickly, there are still signs of the wreckage. Of course, there is no one there, no one is guarding the church, and the priests left Podujevo in 1999, and since then there have been no Serbs in this town.” Rakočević said.

Serbs shot in Kosovo

2006-05-11T06:06:00.000-07:00

| 12:12 May 11 | Beta

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA -- Two Serbs were seriously injured in an armed attack in the village of Grabovac, near Kosovska Mitrovica.

Serbian sources in Kosovo told Beta that unknown assailants attacked Jovan Milošević and Jablan Jevtić using automatic weapons. The two Serbian gas station workers were attacked at about 3:30 am and taken to the hospital. After undergoing operations they are currently in critical condition.

According to Kosovska Mitrovica physicians, both are in intensive care and remain in critical condition. Jevtić lost a great amount of blood and Milošević suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

This is the third violent incident against Serbs in the area in recent days. The first was a shooting in the village of Rudar at the Secretary of the Raško-Prizren Eparchy and the second was a stoning of a bus full of Serbs in the village of Rudnik.

UNMIK expects a wave of violence

2006-05-11T02:36:00.000-07:00

| 09:32 May 11 | B92

PRIŠTINA -- UNMIK police say that the recent increase of attacks on Serbs is a reason for concern in Kosovo.

“After the stoning of the bus, we are practicing in order to react quickly in unforeseen situations, and the mission chief is continuing the investigation.” UNMIK representative Nirad Sing told daily Glas Javnosti, adding that conflicts do not serve in the best interest of Kosovo and that it is time for both sides to realise that.

Commenting the most recent attack on a bus full of Serbs, UNMIK said that these actions are initiated by people who want to see the Kosovo status discussions called off. They added that the situation is getting more and more critical everyday, and that UNMIK will be preparing its police officers for similar incidents.

“On the same night that the United Nations bus which was carrying Serbs was stoned, we started to test our forces to see how fast we can react in unexpected situations.” said UNMIK spokesperson Kelly Collins Mcmurry, adding that UNMIK’s task is to protect all people in Kosovo.

She added that the police are not able to stop all crimes in any region of the world, and that UNMIK is well aware of the potential problems in Kosovo, adding that its forces will be well-prepared.

Belgrade against hasty solutions for Kosovo status

2006-05-10T08:43:00.000-07:00

BELGRADE/BEIJING, May 10, 2006 (BETA) - The chairwoman of the Coordinating Center for Kosovo and Metohija, Sanda Raskovic-Ivic, told the deputy foreign minister of China, Jang Yesui, on May 9, that the authorities in Belgrade were against hasty decisions about the status of Kosovo.

She also criticized Albania's position regarding the future status of the province, saying that it did not help the good neighborly and inter-state relations.

Jang Yesui said Beijing respected the "sovereignty of Serbia-Montenegro" and understood very well the state union's situation regarding Kosovo.

An advisor to the Serbian premier, Aleksandar Simic, said at the meeting that the recognition of Kosovo's independence would mean, among other things, the annulling of conclusions of the Badinter Commission, the conclusions of which were the basis for the break up of the former SFR Yugoslavia along the borders of its republics at that time.

Officials from Belgrade told the Chinese diplomats that the authorities in Serbia and in the state union had no intention of deploying their police in Kosovo and of determining how the Albanians would live there, and that they would provide them with almost all rights that they already enjoy. "However, the Albanians cannot have the prerogatives of a state," Raskovic-Ivic and Simic said at the meeting held in the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Former KLA member arrested

2006-05-10T08:29:00.000-07:00

| 16:47 May 10 | FoNet

FRANKFURT -- A former member of the Kosovo Liberation Army has been arrested in Germany.

According to Frankfurt prosecutors, the suspect is wanted by UNMIK under suspicions of being involved in activities of genocide.

The unidentified male was, according to UNMIK, the commander of a Kosovo concentration camp in 1998 and is suspected of committing genocide.

He was arrest on Monday and is awaiting extradition, according to the Associated Press.

Talks with Commission continue

2006-05-10T05:25:00.000-07:00

| 10:38 May 10 | B92

BELGRADE -- Working discussions regarding pre-admission aid from the EU will be held today.

Despite the official calling off of stabilisation and association discussions between the European Union and Serbia-Montenegro, working meetings between government officials and a mission from the European Commission will continue.

The talks will be lead by the Director of the Directorate for Financial Instruments.

Director of the Serbia-Montenegro EU Association Office, Jela Baćević, told B92 that this European delegation will be meeting with state and federal officials regarding the so-called “pre-admission aid from the EU,” for the period of 2007 to 2013. This is one of the most important working realisations, because this European financial aid is necessary for reform efforts throughout the country, Baćević said.

“The plan is to hold the planned talks and discuss the aid programs for this period. This is a working visit and is something completely separated from the process of discussion the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. At this moment, its realisation has not been brought into question. Of course, the atmosphere exists, there are facts and the awareness that the most important process between Brussels and Belgrade is not unfolding, that it has stopped, and it is very clear that the condition for continuing these discussions is the extradition of Ratko Mladić.” Baćević said.

She added that if Mladić is not arrested within the next several weeks, every further move with regards to the EU will be increasingly rigorous.

Another Mladić helper arrested

2006-05-10T05:24:00.000-07:00

| 10:04 May 10 | B92

BELGRADE -- According to B92’s sources, another one of Hague fugitive Ratko Mladić’s helpers has been arrested.

According to sources, the helper is a retired officer of the former Yugoslav National Army, though his name has yet to be released to the public.

In the last week, a number of individuals have been arrested in relation to helping the war crimes indictee in his efforts of evading the Serbian authorities.

Lajčak notes improved atmosphere

2006-05-10T05:23:00.000-07:00

| 10:58 May 10 | Beta

PODGORICA -- Miroslav Lajčak told EU officials that the pre-referendum situation in Montenegro has shown improvement.

The EU’s Montenegrin status envoy will report to officials in Brussels today that the referendum campaign is unfolding in a positive atmosphere thus far. This is what he told reporters last night after holding meetings with both the separatist and unionist blocs of the Montenegrin Government.

Lajčak reminded that he showed deep concern at the end of April after his last visit to Podgorica, but that the situation has improved greatly over the last two weeks.

“It is now key to preserve this positive atmosphere and have Montenegro to present itself as a mature society.” Ljačak said.

He added that, on May 15, the EU will adopt guidelines for how its relations will be continued with Podgorica and Belgrade, depending on the outcome of the independence referendum.

Wisner to meet with Serbian officials

2006-04-17T06:23:00.000-07:00

| 13:52 April 17 | B92

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA -- Frank Wisner will be meeting in Belgrade today with top state officials.

The US special envoy to the Kosovo final-status talks, met already with North Kosovo Serb officials Marko Jaksic and Nebojsa Jovic. Jaksic, a member of the Serbian status negotiations delegation, said that they did not discuss Wisner’s recent comments regarding independence being the best solution for Kosovo.

“At the very beginning, he said that he came to Pristina not to talk about Kosovo independence, nor will he be going to Belgrade to talk about Kosovo remaining a part of Serbia, so in a very direct way, he made us aware of the fact that he does not stand behind what he said about Kosovo independence in Skoplje.” Jaksic said.

Jaksic said that Wisner stressed the importance of Kosovo Serbs participating in regional institutions.

“He expects that Serbs must begin to take care of themselves. We told him that Serbs were working in the institutions for three years, and that they were rewarded for doing so by getting cleared out of all of them. We said that Kosovo independence and the survival of the Serbian community are two completely opposite realities, rather, that the two ideas are incompatible.” Jaksic said.

According to Jaksic, everyone’s stances were made clear at the meeting and it is now up to the most powerful country in the world, America, to choose between Kosovo independence and Serbia.

Mladic may weaken Kosovo position

2006-04-17T06:22:00.000-07:00

| 14:35 April 17 | Beta

PARIS -- If Serbia does not arrest Mladic, the chances of Kosovo gaining independence will increase.

According to a Parisian daily, the international community may impose Kosovo independence as a final status solution, considering the fact that after two months, the status negotiations have not seen any significant progress. The daily added that if Serbia does not arrest Hague fugitive Ratko Mladic by the end of the month, the chances of the international community favouring the Pristina status team’s position will significantly increase.

“Diplomats have sincere intentions of discussing the topics and reaching an agreement before sovereignty is taken into consideration, solutions such as giving more authority to the local governments and protecting the cultural heritage of the region, but neither of the discussion teams have shown a great amount of readiness for reaching a compromise.” the daily writes.

The daily also states that the opinion of the member countries of the Contact Group (the US, Russia, Great Britain, France, Italy and Germany) is that there are not many alternatives other than to grant the wish of the majority community in Kosovo and proclaim it an independent state.

As an example, the daily quotes the Contact Group’s statement given on April 6, which recommends that the Serbian Government needs to take a more realistic approach and try to find a solution that is “more acceptable for Kosovo’s citizens.”

Regardless of the final solution, the daily states that the international community will continue to play a significant role in the governing and securing of the region.

Referendum is unnecessary

2006-04-17T06:21:00.000-07:00

| 10:44 April 17 | Beta

BELGRADE -- Srdjan Djuric said that the Montenegro referendum should not be held if nothing will change as a result.

Referring to the referendum declaration which the Montenegrin Government recently adopted, the Chief of the Serbian Government’s Media Cooperation Office said that he does not understand why Montenegrin is so intent on holding the referendum if they do not plan on changing anything.

“Why then do they want to break apart the federal union and why are they making divisions and why are they announcing the referendum at all?” Djuric asked.

“If the ruling regime in Montenegro honestly wants what it claims that it wants, which is close, brotherly relations and having everything stay the same, and then there is no need to announce a referendum. Everything else is a referendum campaign in which things are being aggrandised and twisted, which is, at the least, incorrect behaviour towards the public.” Djuric said.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic forwarded the declaration to his Serbia counterpart Vojislav Kostunica late last week. The declaration regards the relations between Montenegro and Serbia after the referendum and allows Serbian citizens in Montenegro all rights expect for the right to vote.

One Scorpion released

2006-04-17T06:20:00.000-07:00

| 10:19 April 17 | B92

BELGRADE -- One member of the Scorpions paramilitary unit was released because of a lack of evidence against him.

Dejan Demirovic was accused of committing war crimes in Kosovo, more precisely, participating in the murders of 19 Albanian civilians, including women and children, in the city of Podujevo on March 28, 1999.

District Court representative Ivana Ramic said that the Specialised War Crimes Court dropped the charges against Demirovic and approved his release, stating that there is not enough evidence against him to facilitate a trial.

Demirovic was extradited from Canada last year, which he fled to in 2001. Sasa Cvjetan, who was indicted for the same charges as Demirovic, was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison. The two of them were the first members of the Serbian police who were tried for war crimes in Kosovo.

House bombed in Kosovska Mitrovica

2006-04-17T06:19:00.000-07:00

| 09:45 April 17 | Beta

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA -- Two explosive devices were thrown at a home in Kosovska Mitrovica this weekend.

Two unidentified individuals threw the explosives at the house at about midnight on Friday. Slight material damage was done to the home’s roof, though no one was injured in the incident. The Kosovo Police Service is investigating the matter, though no concrete information was given to the media.

The house belongs to Zorica Mitrovic, who moved to another part of Kosovska Mitrovica for security reasons. Living in the home is a refugee from Istok, Ljubomir Bojic, who was in the house with his family at the time of the incident.

No passport for “brotherly boarder“

2006-04-10T04:52:00.000-07:00

| 10:09 April 10 | B92

PODGORICA -- If the independence referendum in successful, the Montenegro Government will propose that the border crossing regime between Serbia remain unchanged.

Montenegrin Internal Affairs Minister Jusuf Kalamperovic said that the Montenegrin Government is working on an agreement that will make it necessary for Montenegrin and Serbian people to only present their personal identification cards, instead of passports, at the border.

Kalamperovic said that the agreement will include measures for a regular border control system, without any stricter conditions for crossing the border, adding that he expects that in the case of independence, Serbia will take similar measures as far as border crossings are concerned.

Chances of genocide case, “50-50“

2006-04-10T04:50:00.001-07:00

| 09:48 April 10 | FoNet

BELGRADE -- Democratic Party official Dragoljub Micunovic said that the charges of genocide against Serbia-Montenegro filed by Bosnia-Herzegovina and the ongoing court case, can only lead to further destabilisation in the region.

If Bosnia-Herzegovina wants stabilisation, what will it turn into if the nation is split into one genocidal and one non-genocidal people, asked Micunovic.

Micunovic, who most recently participated as a witness in the trial, said that the charges are mostly meant to be propaganda tools, because there has been a lot of pressure coming from Srebrenica victims and other parts of Bosnia for the Government to do something.

“The question is whether Milosevic, if he was still alive, would have been convicted of committing genocide in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In this case, I think that the chances are 50-50 for a genocide conviction, since one-sided arguments are being presented to prove Serbian war crimes, despite the fact that there are Muslims who are being prosecuted in front of the Tribunal as well.” Micunovic said.

Kosovo economic team selected

2006-04-10T04:50:00.000-07:00

| 12:10 April 10 | B92

BELGRADE -- The Economic team for Kosovo and South Serbia was formed over the weekend.

The team will be made up of 12 experts from various fields of economics. The goal of the group is to put together a strategy for the economic development of Kosovo and South Serbia within the next six months. Considering the fact that 90 per cent of Kosovo’s population in unemployed, creating jobs will be one of the team’s main focuses.

The team must find a way to create job for 50,000 unemployed people in Kosovo, which is greatly made up of young people who have finished school but have not found jobs. More than 10,500 families are living off welfare and social programs in Kosovo.

“We think that the energy situation is catastrophic and we hope that we will reach an agreement with UNMIK and the Albanian side so that we can be prepared with for the next winter. I hope that we will meet next week with the Albanians and UNMIK to talk about concrete steps that we could take in the next several months.” Nenad Popovic, economic team chief, said.

Economic experts will be assisting and advising the Serbian team. Kosovo Coordination Centre Chief, Sanda Raskovic-Ivic, said that direct discussion is the only route towards status, and that imposed solutions are not acceptable.

“Direct discussions need to take us to an agreement that while end with a resolution. We have to stick to this because we need to maintain that vertical spine and I believe that the Contact Group still supports these principles.” Raskovic-Ivic said.

EU to adopt Kosovo action plan

2006-04-10T04:46:00.000-07:00

| 11:07 April 10 | Beta

LUXEMBURG -- The European Union’s Foreign Ministers Council will adopt a plan of action for future EU missions in Kosovo concerning legislative, police and judicial matters.

For the first time in a long while, there will be no further discussion of the West Balkans today at the Council’s meeting in Luxemburg, since most EU officials are of the opinion that the Serbian Government should be “left alone” to take care of its obligations to the Hague Tribunal, as it has promised to do by the end of the month.

The plan of action is a technical document with which the European Commission and the EU Foreign Ministers Council will give guidelines for the preparation of future operations by the EU in Kosovo, which will take effect once the status situation is solved and the UN’s temporary control of the region is disabled.

The EU will be sending a team soon to Kosovo in order to confirm what will be needed for judges, police officials and other officials, who number about one thousand people in total, to take over authority from UN officials, most particularly in law enforcement and judicial activity.

Experts from the West Balkans Committee visited Kosovo recently, returning to Brussels with a report which stated that practically none of the necessary standards have been implemented, that the economic and social situation in the region is poor, and that the economic-financial materials given to the Kosovo administration by the EU have generally been poorly used thus far.

Labus continues to show optimism

2006-04-09T03:20:00.000-07:00

| 14:41 April 07 | Beta

BELGRADE -- Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Miroljub Labus said that the EU Stabilisation and Association Agreement could be finalised by July.

Labus said that the only obstacle standing in Serbia-Montenegro’s way is Hague cooperation.

“I believe that the agreement can be initialled by July, if all political prerequisites are fulfilled, with the elementary one being cooperation with the Hague Tribunal.” Labus said.

The next round of stabilisation and association discussions is scheduled for May 12, Labus said, adding that the visa regime will be discussed at that time and that industrial and agricultural trade issues will be discussed at the beginning of June if all goes well.

Labus said that if everything progresses normally, Serbia could receive EU candidate status by 2008-2009.

He also said that one of the main obstacles facing Serbia in its efforts of European integration is its very high unemployment rate.

Lajcak’s role is limited to referendum

2006-04-09T03:19:00.000-07:00

| 16:06 April 07 | B92, Beta

PODGORICA -- Miroslav Lajcak said that he does not have the authority to make the Serbian Government discuss future relations with Montenegrin officials.

“A lot of people are expecting me to make decisions, but I am not the chief prosecutor, judge or a police officer. Unfortunately, this is the Serbian Government’s decision. I say ‘unfortunately,’ because discussions of this nature would be good for the entire discussion process generally. That is the political will of the Government in Belgrade and I cannot influence them otherwise.” Lajcak, the EU’s special envoy for the Montenegrin independence referendum, said.

He said that if the number of voters who support Montenegrin independence in the May referendum ends up being between 53 and 54 percent of participating voters, he expects that discussions regarding the future architecture of the federal union will commence immediately.

“The starting point of the discussions must be the fact that the federal union is not functioning well and that this fact does not help in Serbia-Montenegro’s European integration process.” Lajcak said.

He added that talks will be needed regardless of the referendum’s outcome. If more than 55 per cent of the voters choose independence, then Serbia and Montenegro must discuss how they will be separating, if more than 50 but less than 55 per cent of voters support the referendum then discussions for remedying relations must be held, and if less than 50 per cent of voters support the referendum, then there must be discussions for new elections to be held in Montenegro.

Case closed as far as Slovenia is concerned

2006-04-09T03:18:00.000-07:00

| 10:56 April 07 | B92

LJUBLJANA -- The Slovenian State Prosecutor’s Office has denied the accusations coming from Serbia that war crimes were committed during conflicts near Holmec in 1991.

State Prosecutor Barbara Brezigar, said that her office confirmed back in 1991 that there were no suspicions of crimes committed at Holmec back in 1991, adding that a group of special prosecutors confirmed the same thing after an investigation in 1999.

The Holmec case is considered closed in Slovenia, or rather, it would be if the President of the Helsinki Monitor in Slovenia, Neva Miklavcic-Predan had not been charged for slander. A court process began two months ago against Miklavcic-Predan, who was accused of slander after she stated at a press conference in 2004 that there is documented video footage of war crimes committed at Holmec which Austrian TV ORF has in its possession.

During the opening statements of the trial, the Slovenian state prosecutor said that Miklavcic-Predan gave false statements that were damaging to the image and honour of the Slovenian military and police, naming 26 Slovenian war veterans who believe that they were slandered by her comments. Miklavcic-Predan said that this is a political process being taken care of in a verbal manner.

Miklavcic-Predan then told reporters that the report on Holmec which the Helsinki Monitor of Slovenia sent to The Hague, later resulted in a slew of uncomfortable questions asked to then Slovenian President Milan Kucan during Slobodan Milosevic’s court proceedings. Immediately afterwards the Holmec Council was created and charges were filed against Miklavcic-Predan, who said that there was no investigation prior to the charges being presses, nor proof, which is why she stated that this is more of a political process than a legal one.

Miklavcic-Predan said that since then, the Slovenian Government has put a block on the work of the Helsinki Monitor, which includes the exclusion of any reports regard the case being led against her.

Yesterday, the Serbian Prosecutor’s Office announced that an investigation into the Holmec incident was being reopened.

B92 was able to obtain a copy of the video footage of the Austrian television station in which the murder of three soldiers of the Yugoslav National Army is clearly seen. Those responsible for the murders were never held responsible, and the only related court process is the one being led against Miklavcic-Predan for slander.

The video shows three YNA soldiers, Zoran Jesic, Goran Maletic and Antonije Simonjic, who were shot and killed by members of the Slovenian Territorial Defence after clearly raising both their hands and white flags in surrender.

Mladic family pressured

2006-04-09T03:16:00.000-07:00

| 10:11 April 07 | B92, FoNet

BELGRADE -- Darko Mladic, son of Hague fugitive Ratko Mladic, said that he has met with Serbian Government officials.

He told daily Blic that the meetings were to discuss the possibility of a negotiated surrender of his father, though he did not want to go into details. He denies that he was taken into custody by the Security Information Agency. He said that all further pressures applied to him and his family will remain ineffective, but did not want to answer when asked whether his father will eventually surrender.

Darko Mladic said that, since the end of December, when his father’s pension was cut off, various forms of pressure started increasing and insisting on an agreement for a surrender, adding that the meetings are occurring on a more and more regular basis.

He also confirmed for daily Vecernje Novosti that his uncles Miroslav, Vukasin, Krsto and Branko Jedic, were taken into custody by the police.

According to the British Guardian daily, Mladic’s wife Bosa Mladic has also been pressure by the Serbian Government recently.

The daily rights that these tactics by Serbian officials suggests that the Government might finally be serious about arresting Mladic, who the Guardian describes as a hero for all Serbian nationalists and a mass murderer of Bosnian Muslims.

Serbia: 1bn national investment plan soon

2006-04-09T03:14:00.000-07:00

Reporter.gr, Greece, April 09, 2006

Serbian Minister of Finance Mladjan Dinkic announced that the Ministry will send the government a proposal of the national investment plan worth 1 billion for four major sectors in the next ten days," Serbia& Montenegro Today" reports

The surplus from this year's budget will be used only for public investment, Dinkic said and specified that the funds will be invested in schools, health sector, infrastructure and the economy, that is, for the purchase of computers, school desks, hospital beds, as well as for highway construction, introduction of gas system and many other projects.

He said that privatisation revenues so far amount to between "1.3 billion and "1.5 billion and added that it is necessary to build a number of roads and connect important roads with highways. Dinkic particularly highlighted the importance of connecting Kragujevac with Corridor 10.

Agreement with Belgrade Mayor Nenad Bogdanovic has been reached to build two bridges in Belgrade at the same time - one across the Sava River and one near Vinca, Dinkic said. The bridge on the Sava River would be financed by the city of Belgrade while the Serbian government would cover the cost of the Vinca bridge from the funds gained from the sale of mobile operator Mobtel, he noted.

Investment funds for important projects are provided with soft loans, Dinkic said and announced that the government will make a priority list after it adopts the national investment plan. The Minister of Finance explained that investment in infrastructure will use the privatisation revenues as well as additional loans. He noted that it is impossible to finish all mentioned projects for only "200 million, adding that concessions, loans and privatisation revenues need to be engaged in order to cover all costs.

Mladic extradited by the end of April

2006-04-05T06:54:00.000-07:00

| 11:26 April 05 | Beta

BELGRADE -- Both international and state officials are expecting Ratko Mladic to be extradited by the end of April.

Goran Svilanovic of the Pact for Stability in Southeast Europe, said that Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica promised the Hague’s Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte and the European Union’s Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn that Mladic would be extradite to The Hague by the end of the month.

“I am not a pessimist and I believe that he will try and follow through on the promise that he made.” Svilanovic said.

He added that he believes that one of the reasons that the EU decided to continue the discussions regarding the EU association process of the federal union is so that an eventual suspension of the talks would not be used as an argument in the Montenegrin independence referendum campaign.

Round two of EU talks begin

2006-04-05T02:21:00.000-07:00

| 10:43 April 05 | B92

BELGRADE -- The second round of stabilisation and association talks with the EU begins today in Belgrade.

After Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica gave assurances that Hague fugitive Ratko Mladic would be extradited to the Tribunal, EU officials decided that the discussions should continue as scheduled, though initially planned discussions regarding the visa regime, political asylum and illegal migration have been pushed back to May. At that time, the European Commission will once again evaluate Serbia-Montenegro’s level of cooperation with the Tribunal and decide on whether the stabilisation and association talks will progress further.

Today’s round of discussions with the European Commission’s delegation will be led by Reinhard Priebe, director of the Western Balkans Directorate of the European Commission. Serbia-Montenegro’s delegation will be headed by Foreign Affairs Minister Vuk Draskovic and will also include Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Miroljub Labus and Montenegrin Foreign Economic Relations and European Integration Minister, Gordana Djurovic.

Chief of the Serbia-Montenegro EU Association Office, Jela Bacevic, said that the meeting’s agenda is divided into two parts.

“The first part will be dedicated to recapitulation of topics from the previous round, and then preambles will be discussed, the first one being general principles of regional politics, then the fourth article, transport of products, and then article eight, financial cooperation. We expected that the teams will confirm the final versions of these segments, to see if we reached an understanding in the past rounds and, if need be, we will change the documents. The second part of the meeting will look at new fields, article five, movement of the work force, and part of article ten, several general and completed regulations.” Bacevic said.

Senator warns of fragile independence talks in Kosovo

2006-04-04T07:45:00.000-07:00

DAVID HAMMER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The Senate's leading Balkans expert said Wednesday he's afraid Kosovo, the breakaway Serbian territory that drew NATO into war in the late 1990s, is moving too quickly toward independence and still needs U.S. troops to prevent a return to violence.

"We need to continue our military commitment there and talk about having a flexible force for the next couple of years and see how it plays out," said Sen. George Voinovich, an Ohio Republican of Serbian and Slovenian descent.

Voinovich said the situation may call for an increase in troops, even though U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said earlier this month that he wants to reduce the approximately 1,700 American troops participating in the international peacekeeping forces in Kosovo.

Voinovich traveled last week to the former Yugoslav republics of southeast Europe. While there, he met with leaders negotiating the potential independence of Serbia's Kosovo province, including Kosovo's new leaders, moderate President Fatmir Sejdiu and controversial Prime Minister Agim Ceku, the former leader of the rebel Kosovo Liberation Army.

There's a rising popular desire in Kosovo for independence by July, which Voinovich said could lead to violence because negotiations might not be complete and implementing an agreement would take time. The U.N. mandate for controlling Kosovo runs through the end of the year. There have been two rounds of talks in Vienna between government teams from Serbia and Montenegro and from Kosovo.

The Serbian government has been satisfied with the talks so far, but will push for greater protection for ethnic Serbs and historic Serbian Orthodox religious sites in a third round of talks scheduled to begin April 5, a Serbian Embassy spokeswoman said.

A Serb youth was stabbed in Kosovo on Tuesday, raising concerns of more ethnic violence. But U.N. police commissioner Kai Vittrup said Wednesday it was an isolated incident and called the general security situation stable.

"Full independence of Kosovo under the circumstances as they are now is unacceptable," the embassy spokeswoman said Wednesday. "If the standards set by the international contact group are not met, we don't see how those people can survive there. But we are willing to compromise and reach an agreement that is acceptable to both sides."

Voinovich is particularly concerned that the region's judicial system is too weak to keep order. He wants U.S and European Union troops to stay engaged during the tenuous negotiations about Kosovo's status.

Balkan governments have maintained close contact with Voinovich because of his commitment to peace in the region.

Kosovo sought its independence and received help from NATO in the 1998-99 Kosovo war when former President Slobodan Milosevic was accused of genocide. Since then, the Albanian majority in the province has threatened minority Serbs and their patrimonial sites in the region, although Ceku promised to protect minorities' human rights when he was appointed prime minister this month.

Voinovich said he's still skeptical and wants the European Union to have a strong structure in place to administer any future agreement on Kosovo's final status.

If independence is the result, "there has to be absolute implementation of democracy and respect for minority rights," he said. "For the Serbian Orthodox church all has to be clear as a bell. If not, this thing will continue to fester."

Big investments from Germany in Serbia

2006-04-04T07:43:00.000-07:00

| 09:45 April 04 | B92

BELGRADE -- Since 2001, German companies have invested about 500 million euros, stated Maren Diale-Schellschmidt, delegate of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Serbia.

Interest in the Serbian market has grown among German businesspeople, said Diale-Schellschmidt, stating that there are about 150 German companies managing businesses in Serbia at the moment, and all of those companies are giving positive comments about the Serbian market and investments.

Diale-Schellschmidt warned that the number of “Greenfield” investments is still insufficient because of the still unsolved land and property questions.

According to her, the main goal of the German Chamber of Commerce is to help German companies that have already settled in Serbia, and introduce potential investors to the business climate in Serbia.

Gowen encouraged by Kostunica’s words

2006-04-04T07:42:00.000-07:00

| 10:09 April 04 | Beta

NIS -- Great Britain’s ambassador to Serbia-Montenegro, David Gowen, said that he is encouraged by Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica’s resolve to fulfil all obligations to the Hague Tribunal.

Gowen said that Kostunica gave very strong guarantees to Hague Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte last week, and that he expects that the Serbian Government will keep up its side of the deal and extradite Hague fugitive Ratko Mladic.

“Mladic should have been found and arrested a long time ago. I hope that this problem will be taken care of soon and that we will see Mladic in The Hague shortly." Gowen said.

Kosovo Serbs slow to let go of wages

2006-04-04T07:41:00.000-07:00

| 12:38 April 04 | B92

PRISTINA -- The Kosovo Coordination Centre has asked Serbs who are receiving salaries from the Serbia to renounce the salaries from the Kosovo budget by the end of March.

It is proving to be an increasingly hard task to convince Serbs in Kosovo to stop receiving extra wages from the Kosovo Government.

Meanwhile, the Kosovo Coordination Centre demanded that the Serbian workers working in local self-government, health and educational institutions in Kosovo break their contracts with UNMIK concerning the money received from the Kosovo budget. That decision follows the plan that Belgrade has for the decentralization of the Government in Kosovo, so those who do not renounce their wages will probably lose their jobs.

Employers working in these services in Kosovo are receiving 130 to 180 euros per month from the budget.

Although from the outside this appears to be about the ultimatum that the Serbian government proposed, the vice president of Coordinating Centre Milorad Todorovic does not agree. For the Economist publication, Todorovic stated that the goal of the centre is to correct legal disagreements, for example, that someone has two employers at the same time.

The second motive that stands behind the claim that Belgrade has, is social inequality which creates chaos between the Kosovo Serbs themselves.

For now the preliminary data is showing that, of the total number of non-Albanian capable working population, only seven percent of them are actually working, half of them in health and education.

Compared to non-Albanians who mostly live off of a bare minimum, doctors and teachers that are not Albanian, are receiving double the Serbian salary, plus the salary from the Kosovo budget.

For example, if a teacher working in Serbia makes 18,000 dinars, a teacher working in North Mitrovica will receive, besides the salary he or she gets from Kosovo, 36,000 dinars form the Serbian registry.

Serbian home shot at in Gnjilane

2006-04-04T07:40:00.001-07:00

| 11:54 April 04 | Beta

GNJILANE -- Unknown attackers fired shots at the house of Cedomir Ivkovic in the village of Straza near Gnjilane, according to Serbian sources in Kosovo.

The attack was carried out with automatic weapons at about 2:30 am last night, according to the sources. Six members of the family were in the home at the time, though no one was injured. The family’s dog was shot and killed, however.

An investigation is ongoing and about a dozen cartridges were found near the scene of the attack.

Tough round of talks in Vienna

2006-04-04T07:40:00.000-07:00

| 11:00 April 04 | B92

VIENNA, BELGRADE -- The third, and so far most difficult, round of direct discussions between Belgrade and Pristina regarding Kosovo’s status, wrapped up in Vienna last night.

There were no concrete agreements made regarding jurisdiction over Serbian municipalities and models of linking the municipalities and Belgrade. The next meeting in Vienna will be held on May 4, where new municipalities in Kosovo and their borders will be discussed.

The third round showed the two sides standing increasing far apart as far their decentralisation plans are concerned. The differences are great and obvious on both sides, and most of the disagreements between Belgrade and Pristina are directly related to the question of who will have jurisdiction over the municipalities. Along with this disagreement, came more differences on how police chiefs, judges and public prosecutors should be elected in courts located in municipalities where Serbs make up the majority.

The UN’s Kosovo status deputy envoy Albert Roan confirmed that disagreements were vast yesterday, stating that he is concerned about how the talks will progress. Roan said that Pristina’s decentralisation concept calls for all ethnic principles to remain neutral, while Serbs are asking that the principles of ethnicity should be respected in municipalities where Serbians make up the majority of the population.

“The Serbian side’s concept is based on widespread autonomy for Serbian municipalities, with limited participation by the central government, while the Kosovo delegation is stressing the importance of a strong role being given to the central government.” Roan said.

According to the Belgrade delegation, even though the discussions are continuing, there is little progress being made. Belgrade team member Aleksandar Simic said that the discussions were very challenging and that the teams argued over every sentence in Roan’s decentralisation document. Simic said that the problem with the document is that it mentions Kosovo’s legal system, which has not even become fully active and implemented as of yet.

“Essentially, Albanians are afraid that a substantial autonomy given to Serbian municipalities, which is mostly important for preserving the Serbian identity, would go against a united legal system in Kosovo. Our stance is that the united legal system can be sacrificed at the expense of something more important, so as maintaining multi-ethnicity. As you know, only a third of the Serbs who lived in Kosovo in 1999 are still there today, and in order to preserve the community and secure conditions conducive for the return effort, we must have a legal system that will secure constitutionally irrevocable rights.” Simic said.

The Albanian side claims that the discussions are moving along well and that the principles of the Pristina delegation coincide with those mentioned in Roan’s document. Team member Ardian Dini said that the Serbian side wants the Serbian municipalities to have full self-government, which would lead to the formation of a new entity.

“This is exactly what the Albanian side wishes to avoid, but to still provide all necessary rights for Serbian municipalities and all other communities. We will create a situation in which everyone will be able to participate in the government and be in charge of their own lives, but without the fear of forming another layer of government in Kosovo, an entity or quasi-entity.” Dini said.

Jovanovic taken into custody

2006-04-04T07:39:00.000-07:00

| 14:56 April 04 | B92

BELGRADE -- President of the Liberal-Democratic Party, Cedomir Jovanovic, has been taken into custody after failing to appear in court.

Jovanovic was summonsed to appear in court to face slander and libel charges pressed by Zoran Sami.

In an interview with B92’s “Insider” investigative reporting television program, Jovanovic said that he saw Democratic Party of Serbia senior official Zoran Sami visit the headquarters of the Zemun Gang in Silerova Street.

According to the Municipal Court in New Belgrade, the last call Jovanovic received for interrogation was given on January 16.

Although Jovanovic was taken into custody, the interrogation did not take place, and was postponed for April 14.

Jovanovic’s party stated that their leader never received a formal request to appear in court and was therefore taken into custody illegally.

“Since the court order was never given to Jovanovic, his arrest was done illegally, and the legal team of the LDP will be filing charges. The arrest was a political lynching and persecution of a politician who has opposing opinions from the regime of Vojislav Kostunica, and breaks the laws of this nation. If he wants to uphold the law, Kostunica should arrest his closest conspirators Dragan Jocic and Rade Bulatovic, who admitted that they broke the law by publishing administrative information regarding their meeting with Milorad Ulemek, and arrest Dejan Mihajlov for interfering with police actions and stopping the arrests of Ivica Dacic, Miroljub Labus and Mladjan Dinkic who participated in many affairs of corruption.” the Liberal-Democratic Party stated.

EU officials meet with Kosovo Serbs

2006-02-20T02:36:00.000-08:00

| 16:32 February 17 | Beta

PRISTINA -- Friday - Representatives of the Serbian community in Kosovo met with EU officials Jose Manuel Barroso and Olli Rehn in Pristina today.

Barroso, the European Commission’s President, and the EU Enlargement Commissar Olli Rehn, met with Kosovo Serb officials Oliver Ivanovic and Randjel Nojkic. Ivanovic said that the Kosovo Serb community supports the EU’s stance of having the first phase of the Kosovo status discussions focus on the lives of Kosovo’s citizens.

After the meeting, Ivanovic said that the EU officials informed him that the EU would like to se the Kosovo status talks be conducted in two separate phases. The first portion of discussions would focus on the citizens of Kosovo and everything related to their everyday lives; issues such as decentralization, the return effort and security. The second part of the talks, which will come afterwards, will deal with the political and legal questions which will arise as a result of deciding on Kosovo’s future status.

“Barroso and Rehn asked of us to include ourselves in the work of the Kosovo institutions in order for them to become democratized. They said that without the participation of the Serbian community in the Kosovo institutions, there will be no indicators that will show that standards are being implemented.” Ivanovic said.

Barroso and Rehn are expected to meet with senior officials of the Kosovo temporary institutions and members of the Pristina status discussions team as well, later today.

Ministers discuss Mladic

2006-02-20T02:35:00.000-08:00

| 10:26 February 20 | B92

BELGRADE -- Monday - Serbian Justice Minister Zoran Stojkovic said that the Serbian Government is doing everything within its abilities to complete cooperation with the Hague Tribunal.

He said that there is no precise deadline for finding Ratko Mladic and extraditing him to The Hague, but added that after Mladic is finally extradited, Serbia will find itself in a very good position politically.

Internal Affairs Minister Dragan Jocic told Radio Television Serbia that the search for Mladic is ongoing.

“The Security Information Agency, police and military are working, searching, surrounding, and gathering information. To repeat that which I have been repeating, a man can hide in Serbia, and be very hard to find for the government. Simply, we are not talking about an average person, rather a soldier who was at war all of his life, who has specific logistics.” Jocic said.

Another pivotal Balkan moment

2006-02-18T10:17:00.000-08:00

Christian Science Monitor, February 16, 2006

Christian Science Monitor By Gordon N. Bardos

NEW YORK - The death of Kosovo Albanian president Ibrahim Rugova late last month came at a particularly delicate time for the Western Balkans. Talks on Kosovo's future status begin on Monday, but many observers fear that a power struggle among pretenders to Rugova's mantle, together with similar political infighting in the Serbian capital of Belgrade, will inhibit both the Albanians' and the Serbs' ability to negotiate coherently or constructively over the coming months.

Kosovo's Albanians have made it clear that the United Nations, which has governed the disputed Serbian province since 1999, has outstayed its welcome, and that hostility toward the Serbs may soon be directed toward the UN and NATO if Kosovo does not quickly gain independence. Consequently, driven partly by fear of extremist violence, and partly by the need to resolve Kosovo's international-legal limbo status, the Bush administration has decided to push for a resolution of the Kosovo issue in 2006.

Granting Kosovo independence outright, however, is not a straightforward matter. As Balkans' expert Alex Grigor'ev recently noted, these negotiations are as much about Serbia as they are about Kosovo. More than five years after the fall of Slobodan Milosevic, Serbia's democratic transition is making progress, but the progress is not irreversible. The worst-case scenario runs along the following lines: An independent Kosovo prompts democratic leaders in Serbia to resign. In the ensuing "who lost Kosovo" electoral campaign, extreme nationalists with a revanchist political agenda come to power. With Serbia being, as Assistant Secretary of State Nicholas Burns has noted, "the most important country in the Balkans," political and economic reform throughout much of southeastern Europe would suffer if political forces from the 1990s came back to power in Belgrade.

US policy is therefore stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place. Failing to quickly fulfill the aspirations of Kosovo's majority population could lead to yet another insurrection involving the US military. Fulfilling those aspirations, however, without regard to their broader ramifications could produce an entirely new set of problems. And there are broader ramifications aplenty, for whatever happens in Kosovo could have considerable impact in the Balkans and beyond.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently said that "universal principles" should be applied in Kosovo, leaving open the possibility that Moscow could some day invoke the Kosovo precedent to support the claims of its clients in similar territorial disputes, such as those in the Georgian regions of South Ossetia or Abkhazia, or Moldova's breakaway province of Transdniestria. In fact, the Kosovo precedent could affect a host of similar problems around the world: If Kosovo Albanians can secede from Serbia, then why not Albanians in Macedonia from Macedonia? Or Croats and Serbs from Bosnia-Herzegovina? Or Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians from Azerbaijan? Or Turks from Cyprus? Or Kurds from Iraq and Turkey?

Clearly, these issues must be considered carefully. In 1991-92, the international community thought that it could control and contain the processes of the former Yugoslavia's disintegration. We now know how terribly wrong that assumption was, and we should not make such a mistake again.

With so much at stake, success in Kosovo requires quiet, patient diplomacy - not imposed, quick-fix solutions. It also requires an agreement that can reconcile the demographic and political reality of today's Kosovo, comprised of an Albanian majority persecuted during the 1990s, with Serbia's historical, religious, and legal claims to the province. Granting Kosovo independence outright would mean that the international community had sanctioned the territorial dismemberment of a sovereign democratic state.

A lasting solution therefore requires a paradigm shift in the way Albanians, Serbs, and the international community approach the problem. Framing the negotiations as a zero-sum game involving winners and losers won't work.

Instead of understanding Kosovo's future in terms of 19th-century notions of state sovereignty, the international mediators and responsible politicians in the Balkans should facilitate a future for Kosovo in keeping with the soft borders and limited, overlapping sovereignties that have become the basis for the European Union of the 21st century.

Such an agreement will not be easy to achieve. It will require imaginative diplomacy, difficult compromises and concessions, and courageous political leadership. But this is a rare historical opportunity to "get it right" in the Balkans. For the first time in decades (if not centuries), southeastern Europe is not divided by rival power blocs, and all the peoples in the region share the same domestic and foreign policy goals - developing the democratic institutions and market economies that can one day join the EU.

Hopefully, the politicians and diplomats guiding this process will find the vision and the courage to exploit this historical moment to the fullest.

Gordon N. Bardos is assistant director of the Harriman Institute at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. He also serves as a Balkans analyst for Freedom House.

Albanian graffiti written on Serb houses in Kosovo

2006-02-18T10:16:00.000-08:00

Makfax, Macedonia, February 17, 2006

Albanian-language graffiti emerged on few Serb-owned houses in Orahovac, causing disturbance and irritation among the local residents, Kosovo news agency reported.

The members of ethnic Albanian organization "Self-determination", led by Alban Kurti, had probably written the graffiti "Self-determination" and "Stop to UNMIK". This group is well known by writing graffiti throughout Kosovo.

There is no need for extra provocations given the sensitive political momentum in the province, as it fuels additional fear among Serbian population, says the communiqué forwarded to Kosovo news agency.

A Serbian referendum for Kosovo?

2006-02-17T03:14:00.000-08:00

| 21:44 February 16 | FoNet, Beta

BELGRADE -- Thursday - According to Serbian Constitutional Court Judge, Slobodan Vucetic, only the Serbian citizens can decide on a change in borders, by way of a referendum.

Vucetic said that according to the current constitution, the territory of Serbia is united and indivisible, and border changes can be made by the citizens through a referendum.

“Depending on the outcome of the Kosovo discussions, the decision for changing the borders can be made only by the citizens in a referendum, if an absolute majority of the voter body made up of all of the citizens with the right to vote supports the changes. Only in this way can the borders of Serbia be changed, according to the current constitution.” Vucetic said.

He added that every registered voter within the territory of Serbia, Kosovo included according to UN Resolution 1244, would be involved in the referendum. The referendum would be announced and implemented by the Serbian Parliament. The technical aspect of voting in Kosovo, which there are no law for since it is under the control of an international protectorate, would have to be made with an agreement between the OSCE, UNMIK and the temporary regional institutions, he added.

Deputy President of the Democratic Party, Nenad Bogdanovic, said that the bringing up of a referendum is a sure sign that the Government is looking to avoid responsibility for Kosovo.

“That has been seen in Serbia already. When politicians doubt and don’t believe that they have the power to fight for something that is good and in the interest of its people, then they starting talking about referendums.” Bogdanovic said.

EU gives actual referendum demands

2006-02-17T03:13:00.000-08:00

| 12:28 February 16 | B92

PODGORICA -- Thursday - European Union envoy for the Montenegro independence referendum, Miroslav Lajcak, presented the European Union’s official stances on the referendum yesterday.

Lajcak said last night that the EU will accept a successful referendum only if at least 55 per cent of the active voters show support.

The EU states that the referendum should be held on May 14, together with the regular local elections, with one referendum-related question.

Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic said that the EU’s proposal presents a rule that the EU demands, which never been able to have been implemented because it does not respect the equal value of votes and democratic decisions, by which minorities cannot be turned into a minority. Lajcak told Vujanovic that the proposal for the referendum will be present to the EU’s senior council on February 27. The Montenegrin Parliament will hold discussions and a vote for the EU proposal as well.

The Montenegrin opposition parties, who support the maintaining of the federal union with Serbia, stated that they will make a decision on the EU proposal as well, after a series of wide-spread consultations. The parties added in their statement that it was obvious that Lajcak was presenting the proposal in a “take it of leave it” manner.

Bosnia keeps eye on terrorists

2006-02-17T03:12:00.000-08:00

| 11:10 February 17 | B92

SARAJEVO -- Friday - The Bosnia-Herzegovina Government is following the movement of a group of 250 fighters who fought on the Muslim side during the war, under the suspicion that the group might be involved in terrorist activity.

About 750 Muslims received Bosnia-Herzegovina passports during the war, and nine of these individuals have been confirmed to be on the list of most wanted terrorists, which was recently released in Egypt. The Bosnia-Herzegovina police have made 10 executive reports about 16 individuals who can be linked to international terrorist activities.

Bosnian Police Chief, Zlatko Miletic, said that the reports do not focus on terrorism alone, but also on the trade of weapons and explosives, threatening individuals who are under international protection, as well as other criminal activity.

No referendum without opposition

2006-02-17T03:11:00.000-08:00

| 10:41 February 17 | Beta

PODGORICA -- Friday - EU envoy for the Montenegrin referendum, Miroslav Lajcak, said that the referendum will not be recognized if it is announced by the Montenegrin Government alone and boycotted by the opposition.

Lajcak said that such a referendum would not help Montenegro and that he expects that the state will honor the European Union’s suggestion for needing a 55 per cent majority for a successful referendum, because he believes that it is logical that a state looking to enter the ranks of the EU would listen to what it has to say.

“If the Government and opposition could agree on another plan proposed by Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic, then the solution would be acceptable for the EU.” Lajcak said.

Leader of the Group for Change, Nebojsa Medojevic, said that the Montenegrin independence referendum will be held and that Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic will probably not risk entering into any conflicts with the international community.

“From what I heard in Washington and the White House, and how the US firmly stands behind the European and Belgrade Agreement, it is obvious that a person who rejects the EU risks being put into the same position that Milosevic was in during the 1990s.” Medojevic said.

EU promoting regional free trade

2006-02-17T03:10:00.000-08:00

| 10:39 February 17 | Beta

BELGRADE -- Friday - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said that the European Union wishes to create a free trade zone in the Western Balkans.

Barroso said that the EU will be encouraging nations in the region to work on creating a free trade zone, adding that this is up to the countries of the region to decide for themselves, although the EU believes that such a move would help show maturity and the region’s intentions to edge closer towards European integration.

“If the nations of the West Balkans wish to join the European Union, they must show their readiness for economic integration on a regional level.” Barroso said.

The EU’s Enlargement Commissar Olli Rehn, who visited Belgrade along with Barroso yesterday, said that the EU wants the nations of the region to replace their bilateral trade agreements with one region agreement, adding that growth in trade has been noticeable and that there is still unused potential to be tapped.

“This is a sure way for the West Balkans to become more interesting to foreign investors and producers, and it will also help create more jobs.” Rehn said.

Successful Serbian brands

2006-02-16T10:45:00.000-08:00

While Serbia is not the "tiger of the Balkans," as one minister of the current Government constantly predicts that it will become, the Serbian company "Tigar" has announced that it will turn all of its focus to the international market, stating that it does not want to turn its leading position on the Serbian market into a monopoly.

This company, which to be honest, can thank its cooperation with one of the largest international tire companies, Michelin, for its success, was named best Serbian corporative brand of 2005.

The award for best product of 2005, went to Vital, the leading producer of cooking oil in Serbia.

The best corporative brand in the services sector was Telekom Serbia, and other consumer awards were given out to drinks company Knjaz Milos for best Serbian company of the year, and to Bambi for health foods, naming its "Bambi" crackers Serbia's best product.

Choosing the best brands is actually an extension of the program of the Serbian Trade, Tourism and Services Ministry from 2004, called "Buy Domestic," and the president of the 12-member panel of judges was Minister Bojan Dimitrijevic.

"Among those who were awarded, there are products and services from Serbia, that I would not be ashamed to put on the international market." Dimitrijevic said.

The awards were decided by market performance, financial results and the votes of the consumer public.

Taking second place in the voting for best corporative brand of 2005 was the Nektar drinks company, while Simpo from Vranje took third. Porodje Vucje took away the award for most original product for its Viljamovka brandy.

The awards ceremony was organized by the Trade Ministry, in cooperation with daily Pregled and the McCann Erickson Marketing Agency.

(document taken from: http://www.b92.net/doc/media/serbian_brands.php)

South Serbian municipalities receive aid

2006-02-16T08:49:00.000-08:00

| 18:45 February 13 | B92

BELGRADE -- Monday - More than ten million euros will be invested in the next two years in order to develop 13 of the most poverty-stricken municipalities in South Serbia.

Serbian Government officials, the European Union, UN Development Programs and the governments of Austria, Sweden and Norway, have begun the second phase of a program for the development and aid of 13 municipalities in the region. The first phase ended last year, and dealt with the development of infrastructure. The new program will deal with economic and societal development which will enable the municipalities to actively participate in the process.

One of the municipalities included in the program is Lepane. Municipal President Mica Stankovic said that the economic situation in the region is dramatic, and that while the help coming from foreign investors is of help, it is limited.

South Serbia Coordination Center Chief Rasim Ljajic said that the entire program aims to keep the peace in the region through economic progress and good development politics, adding that a special economic team will be formed for the region, which will aim to develop the region’s infrastructure. Ljajic also said that the US Government will put aside ten million dollars this year for South Serbia, as will the Serbian Government.

Podgorica Rejects EU Proposal for 55% of Turnout

2006-02-16T03:09:00.000-08:00

PODGORICA, Feb. 15, 2005 (BETA) - The EU envoy for the referendum in Montenegro, Miroslav Lajcak, recommended that the plebiscite be held on May 14 and that a valid majority should be 55 percent of the turnout, BETA learned from sources in the Montenegrin opposition.

Lajcak also recommended a single question for the referendum ballot: "Are you for a Montenegro as an independent state with full international and legal subjectivity?" According to Lajcak's proposal, local elections are to be held at the same time as the plebiscite in Montenegro.

Montenegrin Premier Filip Vujanovic said the recommendation, seeking 55 percent of the turnout for a valid majority "does not respect the equal value of a vote," adding that the Montenegrin Legislature would make the final decision on the recommendation. He reiterated Podgorica's stand, which requires that a valid majority should be 41 percent of the electorate.

"During the meeting with Lajcak, Vujanovic stressed that this rule has not been applied so far, because it does not respect the equal value of a vote, which is one of the basic human rights and also the basic principle of equality in democratic expression, according to which a minority cannot be turned into a majority," it said in the statement from Vujanovic's office.

The ruling Democratic Party of Socialists dismissed Lajcak's recommendation for a valid majority, describing it as unacceptable, BETA was told by the party.

On Feb. 14, Lajcak said in Brussels that a country which wishes to become a member of the EU must seriously take the EU's opinion into account. He stressed that it is very important that the referendum outcome be adopted in the legislature and that both political blocs adopt a declaration on what will happen afterwards, given that Montenegro's society is deeply divided.

In Brussels, Lajcak also said it was necessary that the ruling and opposition parties in Montenegro reach a political agreement on events after the referendum and that Belgrade plays a constructive role in order to create a stable environment and avoid chaos and a vacuum.

Barroso: Non-Cooperation with ICTY Jeopardizing Association

2006-02-16T03:08:00.000-08:00

BRUSSELS, Feb. 15, 2006 (BETA) - The chairman of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Baroso, said on Feb. 15 that non-cooperation with the Hague tribunal jeopardized Serbia-Montenegro's association with the European Union, and pointed out that the authorities in Belgrade must not allow this to bring into question the stabilization and association agreement, which could be signed by this autumn.

"Non-cooperation with the Hague tribunal is jeopardizing the important progress made in the stabilization and association negotiations," Baroso said, adding that he would clearly convey this to his "partners in Serbia-Montenegro."

Baroso, who is to visit Belgrade on Feb. 16 together with the EU enlargement commissioner, Olli Rehn, said he would present "a very strong appeal for establishing full cooperation with the Hague tribunal."

According to Baroso's announcements, Rehn will inform the EU foreign ministers at the end of this month about the assessment of the Serbia-Montenegro authorities' cooperation with the Hague tribunal, on the basis of which it will be determined "which are the possible consequences of this level of cooperation on the stabilization and association negotiations."

Baroso said he was very pleased with the initial round of talks between the EU and Serbia-Montenegro on signing this agreement, and that he appreciated "the expertise and dedication" of the negotiating teams of Serbia and Montenegro.

"I am convinced that, if we continue in such a good spirit, we will be able to complete them this autumn," Baroso said, adding that this depends on whether the key reforms are carried out and the required level of cooperation established with the tribunal.

Baroso also added that it was very bad that there were as many as 31 free trade agreements between the different countries in the western Balkans, and wandered how these countries imagined to integrate in Europe when they were unable to establish at least a minimum of cooperation among themselves.

The EC chairman also said he was concerned over the insufficient implementation of standards in Kosovo, and pointed out that decentralization and the protection of minorities would be of decisive importance in solving the province's status. He added that the implementation of standards was crucial if the future of Kosovo in Europe is desired.

Belgrade Offering Compromise, No Changing of Borders

2006-02-16T03:07:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2006 (BETA) - Serbian President Boris Tadic stated before the U.N. Security Council on Feb. 14, at the session dedicated to the situation in Kosovo, that Belgrade was offering a political compromise as the solution to the Kosovo issue, without the unilateral changing of internationally recognized borders and political destabilization.

He said this approach by Belgrade would enable the Kosovo Albanians to have wide autonomy, which would make them independent from Belgrade in the majority of everyday issues - on condition that they accept the same type of autonomy for the Serb entity in the province.

According to Tadic, the process of Serbia-Montenegro's cooperation with the European Union, including Kosovo and Metohija, would continue through the appropriate association mechanisms, and the concrete details of this solution can only be agreed on in direct talks between the two sides.

While opening the session, UNMIK chief Soren Jessen-Petersen said in a regular report about the situation in Kosovo that the majority population there had the right to expect its wishes to be fulfilled during the negotiations, but that the minorities also had the right to expect the protection of their interests.

The UNMIK chief pointed to the importance of implementing standards, decentralization and the protection of minorities in Kosovo, saying that this would be the key measure of the seriousness and readiness of the Kosovo Albanian leaders.

He added that the review of the situation in Kosovo has shown that the implementation of standards slowed down by Dec. 15, last year, but that positive initiatives towards speeding up the implementation of standards have been seen since, following criticism from UNMIK.

Jessen-Petersen said the best way to reduce the Kosovo Serbs' fears would be for them to join the Kosovo institutions, and called on Belgrade to support and encourage them in this move.

The U.S. and British ambassadors to the U.N. said the Kosovo institutions had to do much more in the implementation of standards, and pointed out that independence was one solution for the future status of the province.

U.S. ambassador John Bolton said the crisis in Kosovo in 1999 and the period of international management that followed, have made Kosovo a special case. "Among all the possibilities, independence for Kosovo is a possible outcome," he said.

Great Britain's ambassador to the U.N., Alan Thomson, said the negotiations on the future status of Kosovo should be completed this year, and that the aspirations of 90 percent of its population had to be considered.

He pointed out that independence was one of the options that would bring peace and security to the region, but also that the Kosovo government had to prove to the international community and the Security Council that it was truly determined to build a multi-ethnic Kosovo.

The Russian ambassador to the U.N., Andrei Denisov, presented his country's views of the Kosovo issue. He said there has been no progress in the implementation of standards in Kosovo and that the agreement on its status had to be acceptable for both sides.

Denisov said the future of Kosovo lay in respecting the principles of Resolution 1244 and of the Contact Group, and that "the sides included in the process have to find an acceptable solution, together."

EU officials on Balkan tour

2006-02-15T12:17:00.001-08:00

| 16:08 February 15 | Beta

RUSSELS -- Wednesday - European Commission officials Jose Manuel Barroso and Olli Rehn are set to begin their tour of Croatia, Serbia-Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

This will be the first visit to the region by the European Commission President Barrosa, since he took his position in 2004. The EU Enlargement Commissar, Rehn, said that the goal of the tour will be to encourage the Balkans countries to strengthen political and economic ties within the region.

Barroso and Rehn will be in Belgrade on Thursday, where they will meet with Serbia-Montenegro President Svetozar Marovic. Barroso is also expected to address the Serbia-Montenegro Parliament on Thursday as well.

According to a statement from the EU, Barroso and Rehn will try to encourage the countries of the Western Balkans to strengthen reforms in order to progress on the road towards European integrations.

“The goal of the EU is to consolidate peace and better the lives of all people in the Western Balkans. We are working in partnership with these countries so that we can help them increase the level of democracy and reform economics. If these countries achieve these goals, this will get them closer to the EU and materially improve the lives of the people of the region.” Barroso said.

Rehn said that the EU is working with these countries in order to increase stability and prosperity in the region.

“At the same time, you must cooperate between one another because regional cooperation is the key for achieving these goals. Regional cooperation is not just a step towards the EU but towards full European integration as well.” Rehn said.

Serbia has referendum demands as well

2006-02-15T12:17:00.000-08:00

| 18:21 February 15 | Beta

BELGRADE -- Wednesday - Statement have started coming from Belgrade regarding conditions which Serbia wishes to implement in order for the Montenegro independence referendum to maintain legitimacy.

The Serbian Prime Minister’s advisor Aleksandar Simic said that Serbia will not recognize the Montenegrin referendum’s results if less than 50 per cent of the total number of registered voters supports independence. Fifty percent plus one voter, is Serbia’s official demand.

“If it does not go that way, that act will be illegal and illegitimate, and Serbia will not accept it. That is the stance of the Government, colleagues of the Government and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica.” Simic said.

Phones go out again in Kosovo

2006-02-15T12:16:00.001-08:00

| 13:12 February 15 | B92

BELGRADE -- Wednesday - Telekom Serbia has announced that the cables at the base station of the Green Peak phone service have been cut, and the Kosovo Serb population is once again without its mobile phone services.

Costumers of the 063, 064 and 065 services in Novo Brdo, Silovo, and west of Gnjilana have no way to dial out or receive calls on their mobile telephones.

Telekom Serbia official in the region, Vladimir Lucic, said that the incident occurred yesterday afternoon and that Telekom Serbia is working hard to reinstate the mobile phone lines in this region of Kosovo as soon as possible.

Stankovic puts job on the line

2006-02-15T12:16:00.000-08:00

| 18:20 February 15 | Beta

BELGRADE -- Wednesday - Serbia-Montenegro Defense Minister Zoran Stankovic said that he will resign from his position if all Hague fugitives are not located in a reasonable amount of time.

He said that the activities of the Military-Security Agencies in locating the Hague fugitives have not stopped, and that they do not stop after the report to the Supreme Defense Council is given. Stankovic said that the Military-Security Agencies are responsible for continuing to give fast and detailed information on whether there are any Hague fugitives located on the territory of Serbia-Montenegro.

“If they are able to find a location in the coming period of time, in Serbia or anywhere else, then that will be alright, but if they say that they have no information about where the Hague fugitives are, I will have to replace some people, and if the new people do not do anything about it, that will mean that I cannot do what I am supposed to do and I will resign myself.” Stankovic said.

Serbia celebrates Statehood Day

2006-02-15T12:15:00.000-08:00

| 13:45 February 15 | B92

BELGRADE -- Wednesday - Statehood Day is celebrated today, on February 15, in Serbia.

February 15, 1804, marks the day that the first Serbian Uprising Against the Turks began. The first Serbian constitution was signed in Kragujevac on February 15, 1835.

The Serbian Parliament made this day a state holiday in 2001.

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica will attend a ceremony celebrating the first Serbian Uprising and Constitution in Orasac today, a village near Arandjelovac.

Tadic speaks before Security Council

2006-02-15T12:14:00.000-08:00

| 11:12 February 15 | B92

NEW YORK CITY -- Wednesday - Speaking before the United Nations Security Council yesterday, Serbian President Boris Tadic said that Belgrade will offer a political compromise for solving the Kosovo status question.

He added that the solution cannot included the changing of internationally recognized borders or political destabilization.

Tadic said that this kind of stance from Belgrade gives the Albanians in Kosovo a very expansive autonomy, which will in most cases of everyday life make Kosovo completely independent of Belgrade, under the condition that they agree to give the Serbian communities in Kosovo autonomy as well.

“A Democratic Serbia is prepared to make these discussions possible and make them successful in order to protect its legitimate interests and, at the same time, honor the legitimate interest of others.” Tadic said.

Before Tadic addressed the Security Council, Kosovo Governor Soeren Jessen Petersen gave his quarterly report on the UNMIK mission in Kosovo.

Contact Group support compromise

2006-02-13T13:04:00.000-08:00

| 18:16 February 13 | Beta

BRUSSELS -- Monday - The unanimous stance of the Contact Group is that the status solution for Kosovo must be reached solely through dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade according to the guidelines set by the Contact Group.

This must be a compromised solution, which will bring stability to Kosovo, senior officials of the Contact Group in Brussels told Beta. It was also stated that no member country of the Contact Group suggested that a solution such as independence should be imposed before the discussions began, but officials did stress that it will be important to leave all options open.

“The solution must be acceptable for the people of Kosovo.” according to Contact Group officials, and responding to John Sawyers statements made last week, officials said that “everyone has a right to their own opinions on the matter,” but that such a conclusion was not reached at the last meeting on January 31.

At the meeting, Contact Group officials reached the decision that the solution must be found through dialogue between the Serbian and Albanian sides, and that the foundation for solving the status problem will be the UN’s Resolution 1244, adding that the Security Council will have an important role in the process.

The Contact Group officials also unanimously decided that the implementation of standards in Kosovo is one of the most important conditions that the Pristina Government must take care of, which will include the protection of the Serbian an other non-Albanian minority communities, and enabling the return of refugees.

Sources from Brussels stated that the chief diplomats from the US, Germany, France, Great Britain, Russia, Italy, as well as EU officials from Austria, senior officials of NATO and the EU, such as Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Javier Solana, Martti Ahtisaari and Soeren Jessen Petersen, who were all at the Contact Group meeting, all agree that the government in Pristina has done little to nothing in implementing these standards and protecting the rights of minorities.

Tadic calls for religious tolerance

2006-02-13T03:32:00.000-08:00

| 11:23 February 13 | Beta

BELGRADE -- Monday - Serbian President Boris Tadic has called on the citizens of Serbia to show religious tolerance and mutual understanding.

He said that it is unacceptable to burn national symbols because of religious beliefs. Even though it was not specified, it is believed that Tadic’s statement was made in relation to the protests held by Muslims in Novi Pazar, where flags of other nations were burned.

Tadic called on citizens to respect the religious sentiments of others.

“I believe that every citizens has a right to freely express his or her religious sentiments.” Tadic said.

A protest was held by the large Muslim community in Novi Pazar on Friday, regarding the caricature of Mohamed published in a Danish newspaper, which has resulted in numerous violent protests by Muslims around the world over the past several weeks. Danish and Israeli flags were burned at the protest.

“Protect Serbia by all means necessary”

2006-02-13T03:31:00.000-08:00

| 10:17 February 13 | B92

BELGRADE -- Monday - Serbian Radical Party senior official Tomislav Nikolic said that he and Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica agreed that any eventual proclamation of independence in Kosovo would represent an occupation of Serbia.

Kostunica and Nikolic met over the weekend to talk about Kosovo. After the meeting, Nikolic said that Kosovo independence would be considered an occupation of Serbian territory.

“Faced with the talks of Kosovo independence which the English Diplomat (John Sawyers) has begun, we agreed that if it ever got to the point where Kosovo was declared independent, the Serbian Parliament would adopt a resolution which would immediately deem that independence an occupation of Serbian territory, and make all those who are obligated by the Serbian constitution to do so, defend the sovereignty of Serbia by all means necessary.” Nikolic said.

While the Serbian Government has yet to respond to Nikolic’s statement directly, it has released a statement saying that it will not participate in creating an atmosphere that would consider Kosovo a lost cause.

“It is unnecessary and damaging to national interests to create an atmosphere of defeatism, stating that Kosovo is lost, which brings up the topic, being the first and only topic, as something we would considered to be a taking away from our territory. Instead of these damaging and unnecessary discussions, as the Kosovo status talks near, the Government states that Kosovo was, is and will be a part of Serbia.” Srdjan Djuric of the Government’s Press Office, said.

“The Serbian Government’s stance is that, in accordance with international law, Kosovo is a part of this nation and that it trusts in all of the most important principles which international law is based upon, including the protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity as an internationally recognized state.” Djuric said.

“The Serbian Government will do everything it can to ensure a united stance in Serbia in order to keep Kosovo, and it will not participate in any activities that will deem Kosovo lost, which some individuals have stated in the last several days.” Djuric said.

Reactions from Kosovo

Member of the Belgrade Kosovo status discussion team, Goran Bogdanovic, told B92 that Nikolic’s statements are bringing confusion into the situation, adding that such actions were never discussed at Kosovo meetings.

“That kind of stance, which Mr. Nikolic has stated himself, claiming that it was in agreement with Prime Minister Kostunica’s stances, a stance like that has never been mentioned at any of the Kosovo Council of status discussion team meetings. I am perplexed by the silence of the Government and most of all, Prime Minister Kostunica, regarding all of this, when taking into consideration that the status talks are on the verge of beginning, and that this can change a lot within the perceptions of the stances of the team, and also, the intentions of the Serbian Government.” Bogdanovic said.

Kosovo Serbia senior official Oliver Ivanovic said that he does not see any politician in Serbia finding the independence of Kosovo acceptable, but said that it must be clear that “we cannot proclaim Kosovo as an occupied territory, because it is under the complete control of the United Nations.”

He said that if Kosovo was proclaimed an occupied territory, tensions would grow, and confrontations would occur, which the already tired and drained Kosovo Serb community cannot endure.

“Therefore, such a stance from the parliament would be a sign for the Kosovo Serbs to start packing. And we must admit that such a scenario looks to much like the Storm operation, especially because of the fact that the political actors on our side are practically the same.” Ivanovic said.

Exit festival, the best in the world

2006-02-10T03:08:00.000-08:00

| 16:31 February 10 | FoNet

LONDON -- Wednesday – British magazine Observer stated that the Exit music festival in Novi Sad will be the best festival of the year.

According to the magazine’s website, Exit filled the void left in 2006 by the fact that the Glastonbury festival will not be held this year in England, mentioning that the Exit festival was founded in 2000 as a sign of protest against the Milosevic regime.

“Last year, when Fat Boy Slim, The White Stripes and Carl Cox performed on the main stage, 150,000 people enjoyed everything from extreme sports to avant-garde film premiers.” Observer states, adding that Exit has inexpensive beer and ticket prices, and that the ambient of the festival is unique because it is held on and around a medieval fortress.

Draskovic: Contact Group Has Not Made Decesion on Kosovo

2006-02-10T03:06:00.000-08:00

BERLIN, Feb. 9, 2006 (BETA) - Serbia-Montenegro Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic said on Feb. 9, after meeting his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, that he had received assurances that the Contact Group had not made any decisions on Kosovo and that the decision will not be made until the end of the process beginning with the negotiations in Vienna.

Draskovic and Steinmeier discussed regional subjects, the referendum in Montenegro, but primarily focused on the resolution of the Kosovo issue.

At a brief news conference, the German foreign minister stressed that "negotiations on the status of Kosovo should be concluded by the end of this year, above all because it is in the interest of people in the region to know where they stand."

"That is not to say that a compromise has already been found, but the goal was and still is a peaceful, multi-ethnic Kosovo, where people will live together in peace and security, regardless of ethnicity," Steinmeier said.

He added that "it is important to preserve a European perspective for all countries in the Western Balkans, because only within that framework is it possible to influence the course of the negotiations."

Asked whether, after the latest statements by Frank Wisner, the U.S. envoy in Martti Ahtisaari's team, the concept of limited sovereignty had been dismissed, the minister replied that the concept was still current.

After speaking with Steinmeier, Draskovic described Germany's position as "encouraging for Serbia-Montenegro."

"It is encouraging for us that Germany, as a Contact Group member, advocates a solution which will guarantee all the rights belonging to the ethnic Albanian majority to Serbs and other non-Albanian peoples in Kosovo as well, a solution which will leave no party beaten or feeling humiliated, after which all, with certain compromises and concessions, will be winners, and the entire region will turn to Europe," Draskovic said.

Conditions for Referendum in Montenegro Almost Set

2006-02-10T03:05:00.000-08:00

PODGORICA, Feb. 9, 2006 (BETA) - EU special envoy Miroslav Lajcak on Feb. 9 said that the Montenegrin government and opposition working groups had nearly completed harmonizing the conditions for a referendum on Montenegrin independence.

In a news release, Lajcak said that the parties were currently working on a final version, adding that he was sure that the text was fair and well-balanced. He said that he was confident that the draft was a good basis for the continuation of the process and the addressing of the remaining political topics.

"This is the result of a lot of work done by both sides over the past few days. This text was not imposed. All who were involved worked very hard, made some difficult decision and showed a genuine will to reach a compromise. That is why they deserve to be commended," Lajcak said.

He also said that he expected everyone to be equally constructive in the coming days, when the issue of the majority necessary to make the referendum results valid was raised.

Lajcak confirmed that he is to travel to Brussels for consultations, adding that he will return to Podgorica on Feb. 13, with recommendations on how to further develop the process.

The negotiations between government and opposition representatives, with the mediation of EU representatives, ended on the evening of Feb. 8.

Lajcak previously handed both sides a special draft law on the referendum, drawn up in Brussels based on negotiations that lasted several days, with the referendum issue and the necessary majority as the only missing items.

Displaced Kosovo Serbs protest in front of british embassy

2006-02-09T03:38:00.000-08:00

Belgrade, 8. february 2006. (Beta) – Couple of hundreds displaced Serbs from Kosovo started at noon a protest in front of the embassy of Great Britain in Belgrade because of the statement of the british diplomat John Sawyers that the Contact Group has made the decision to grant Kosovo independence.

The gathered crowd brought paroles where it standed: "Raise your voice, for the salvation of Kosovo and metohija" and "KLA, NATO, UN, bring us back our murdered", calling for the revealing of the destinies of kidnapped and dispaeared Serbs in Kosovo.

The gathered crown asked for their delegation to be admitted by the officials of the british embassy to whom they intend to give a map of Serbia.

At the beginning of the protest it has been said that protest gatherings were organized in the same time in many Serbian enclaves in Kosovo.

World Bank Positively Assesses Serbia's Credit Capability

2006-02-09T03:29:00.000-08:00

BELGRADE, Feb. 8, 2006 (BETA) - Serbian Finance Minister Mladjan Dinkic stated on Feb. 8 that, after the positive assessment of the three-year arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a new, affirmative assessment of Serbia's credit capability arrived from the World Bank on Feb. 8.

Speaking at a news conference, Dinkic said the assessment was made after the World Bank's mission completed its work on estimating Serbia's credit capability, and this will make it possible to draw credits for financing infrastructure and investment projects.

According to Dinkic, the World Bank confirmed the information that Serbia's debts are now four times lower, having gone down from 180 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) five years ago, to 44 percent.

"We can now expect far more favorable credits, not so much for the state as for local authorities," Dinkic said, announcing that an increase in Serbia's credit rating was being considered by the international credit ratings agency Standard&Poor.

Dinkic said the completion of the arrangement with the IMF "had a positive domino effect" for foreign direct investment, which is expected to add up to around $2 billion, by the end of this year.

He pointed out that the positive evaluation of the arrangement with the IMF meant the condition has been fulfilled for Japanese banks to join in the financing of projects in Serbia and the building of a bridge in Belgrade.

Contents of the IMF report revealed

2006-02-09T03:27:00.000-08:00

| 11:28 February 09 | Beta

NEW YORK, BELGRADE -- Thursday – According to the International Monetary Fund’s report, the speeding up of reform programs has helped to strengthen Serbia’s economic growth.

“The speeding up of structural reforms has strengthened economic growth and the exporting performance of Serbia and Montenegro, and the restructuring and privatisation of banks has improved the business climate through investments.” the report states.

At the same time, macroeconomic unbalances have started to wane as a result of important fiscal pressures, IMF Deputy Director Anne Krueger said, after a meeting of the IMF’s Board of Directors at which Serbia-Montenegro’s arrangement with the financial institution was successfully finalised.

The IMF did, however, have concerns which remained, including high inflation rates and deficits and slowed restructuring of public companies, which all limit the potential growth and manoeuvring space of the Government for reform politics.

“Looking at 2006, a further tightening of macroeconomic politics is foreseen, as well as the speeding up of structural reforms helping to decrease the inflationary pressure, which will help economic growth.” according to the report.

The IMF also stated that the expansion of credit and loan opportunities will also call for a strengthening of the banking control and surveillance systems.

Mladic’s helper arrested

2006-02-09T03:26:00.000-08:00

| 11:55 February 09 | B92

BELGRADE -- Thursday – Former Republic of Srpska officer Sasa Badnjar has been arrested under the suspicion that he has been helping Ratko Mladic hide from Serbian authorities.

According to B92’s sources, Badnjar was arrest in Belgrade on Monday. He was, at one time, a member of Mladic’s personal security team, and helped the general hide after the Hague Tribunal issued its indictment for his arrest.

Badnjar was in charge of Mladic’s communication tasks, according to sources, and the police believe that he had continued helping the Hague fugitive hide, even after 2002.

Lawyer Krsto Bobot confirmed that Badnjar will be in custody for one month and that the contents of his interrogation have been filed as top secret national documents.

“He was interrogated by the investigative judge, and an investigation is underway to prove that he was involved in criminal activities as an accessory.” Bobot said.

Serbian schools helped greatly by Japan

2006-02-08T03:37:00.000-08:00

| 10:17 -> 10:38 February 07 | B92

MEDVEDJA -- Tuesday - The Japanese government has donated a total of 200 million dollars to Serbia-Montenegro in the past seven years.

During his visit to the primary school Gornja Jablanica in Medvedja, which was given 70,000 dollars for renovation works, Japanese Ambassador to Belgrade Tadashi Nagai said that the Japanese government has supported the reconstruction of 38 schools in Serbia.

Ethnic Serb and Albanian students and teachers now have six renovated classrooms, two laboratories, a new main hall and a completely reconstructed sewer system. Nagai was pleased with the results and promised on behalf of the Japanese government to continue aiding schools in Serbia.

Independence, one of options: Sawyers

2006-02-08T03:29:00.001-08:00

8.2.2006 10:36 BELGRADE, (Tanjug) - British Foreign Office Political Director John Sawyers said late on Tuesday, following his Belgrade meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, that the independence of Kosovo was one of the options of the province's future status.

Solution to be sought in scope of resolution 1244, Cobel

2006-02-08T03:29:00.000-08:00

8.2.2006 11:14 BELGRADE, (Tanjug) - German Ambassador in Belgrade Andreas Cobel has said he cannot not comment the statement of British Foreign Office Political Director John Sawyers that the future status of Kosovo-Metohija will be inedependence.

Process of Kosovo decentralisation most important

2006-02-08T03:27:00.000-08:00

8.2.2006 12:00 PARIS, (Tanjug) - The process of decentralisation in Kosovo is of major importance as regards the protection of minorities, cultural and religious heritage of the province, French Foreign Minister Phillip Dust-Blazi and special UN envoy for negotiations on Kosovo Marti Ahtisaari have said after their meeting in Paris.

Justice Ministries sign agreement

2006-02-08T03:24:00.000-08:00

| 11:15 February 08 | Beta

LOUTRAKI -- Wednesday – The Serbian and Albanian Justice Ministers, Zoran Stojkovic and Aljdo Bumci, signed an agreement in Greece yesterday for cooperation between the two ministries.

“The agreement was signed as a formal confirmation of what we will do in the future, taking into consideration the improved cooperation between Serbia and Albania, especially in the fields of fighting organised crime, corruption, human trafficking and terrorism.” Stojkovic said.

He added that similar bilateral agreements will be signed with all nations of Southeast Europe.

Story of a failed return effort

2006-02-08T03:23:00.000-08:00

| 10:40 February 08 | B92

PRISTINA -- Wednesday – Zoran Stanisic, a refugee who has returned to Pristina, said that he cannot live in his own apartment, is constantly being robbed, and cannot reopen his business.

After fleeing almost seven years ago, Stanisic, along with his mother, moved back to Pristina five months ago. Before the war, Zoran, an economist and electrical engineer, was the owner of a successful private company in Pristina. He said that he has been riddled with problems and obstructions in trying to reopen his business and rehire his old associates, who are all of varying nationalities.

“I’ve found both my business and living places broken in to. I alerted the Kosovo police, which came 15 minutes after the fact. Since I am one of the few Serbs living in Pristina, it’s funny that this is the second time this month that someone has probably tried to send us a message.” Stanisic said.

Stanisic said that he trusted the promises of the international community, the Kosovo Government and the Return Ministry, that the minimum conditions of normal living would be given to him, which encouraged him to return to Pristina.

“When winter came, we had nothing, so we were forced to temporarily get out of the way, and wait to see whether their promises would be fulfilled or not. It looks as if there is nothing for Serbs in this city, and Serbs are ordained to live in enclaves, concentration camps, and behind barbed wire.” Stanisic said.

Until 1999, about 400,000 Serbs lives in Pristina. There are currently 150 living there now. Zoran Stanisic is now living in Gracanica, because, as he stated, he cannot live in his Pristina apartment.

New deadline for Mladic arrest

2006-02-08T03:22:00.000-08:00

| 12:08 February 08 | Beta

BELGRADE -- Wednesday – According to media reports, the Serbian Government has promised the Hague Tribunal’s Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte that Ratko Mladic will be arrested by February 21.

Daily Blic writes that Serbian officials told Del Ponte that the case is close to being solved, either by way of negotiating his surrender or by arrest, more likely by the former action. Blic said that sources close to Serbian senior officials told the daily that February 21 is the expected deadline for extraditing the Hague fugitive.

“ A solution is near and this is the first time that Carla Del Ponte actually believes that the Belgrade Government officials realize that Mladic must be extradited to The Hague in order to avoid sanctions. They are aware that February 16, when European official Olli Rehn is to report to the EU Senior Council, is a very important date for them, and are no longer looking to avoid the problem, but rather, solve it. They have to face the problem very quickly.” the daily’s source is quoted as saying.

Kostunica: Only Security Council can change rules

2006-02-08T03:21:00.000-08:00

| 11:14 February 08 | B92

BELGRADE, PRISTINA -- Tuesday – Serbian PM Vojislav Kostunica told British Foreign Office Political Director John Sawyers that only the UN Security Council can change the rules.

Kostunica pointed out that Sawyers’ position on the future status of Kosovo-Metohija presented yesterday at the meeting with Serb and ethnic Albanian representatives in Pristina contradicts the official Contact Group statement made after a ministerial meeting on January 31. Kostunica also stressed that any position prejudicing the future status of Kosovo-Metohija conflicts with the basic principles of the Contact Group adopted at the UN Security Council. The Security Council is the only institution with a mandate to change the adopted principles for the talks on the future status of Kosovo-Metohija, said Kostunica.

The Prime Minister reiterated that supporting a one-sided and exclusive approach to resolving the Kosovo-Metohija issue before talks have even begun is totally unacceptable. Therefore, it is important, Kostunica said, that Great Britain adheres to the position and principles of the Contact Group and the Security Council. The Prime Minister presented Sawyers with the fundamental position of Serbia stating that any attempt on imposing a solution on a democratic state represents not only inappropriate pressure, but violation of the founding principles of international law and the international system.
Kostunica stressed several times that Serbia has full confidence that the Security Council will abide by the principles of international law in the process of finding a solution to the Kosovo-Metohija issue, above all respecting the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity of an internationally recognised state.

Sawyers agreed that the talks on the future status of Kosovo-Metohija should start with the decentralisation issue and that all parties involved should strive towards stronger guarantees of safe and peaceful life in the province and allow the return of exiled Serbs.

Sawyers: Deal with the past, apprehend Mladic…

Political Director of the British Foreign Office John Sawyers said that he did not say in yesterday’s talks with Serbs in Pristina the Contact Group had already decided that Kosovo would be granted independence.

In a statement to B92, Sawyers stressed however that the number of options being considered was very limited, because there was no going back to the pre-1999 status. Kosovo is not going to be divided, nor will there be unification with a neighbouring state, he said.
Asked whether the journalists of Economist magazine or analyst Tim Juda were right in their estimates that the negotiations would essentially focus on the future status of Serbs in an independent state of Kosovo, Sawyers replied: “I think this is something the officials in Belgrade should focus on. What will be the status of Serbs in Kosovo? How can they be kept safe? How to create conditions for those who were forced to leave? The chances of this happening are realistic. I made all of this clear to the negotiators in the Albanian team. They have to understand that they can only attain their goals by finding a way to include the Serb ethnic community in the future arrangement”.

B92: There seems to be a theory developing, it seems to have been initiated by US diplomats, and you seem to accept it, that Serbia has to pay for the mistakes of Slobodan Milosevic’s regime and that the price is Kosovo. Is this a new practice in international relations and isn’t this in stark contrast with international law and principles?

Sawyers: “Every country has to face the heritage of it past. Look at what Germany had to go through after 1945, coming to face the terrible past of repression over the Jews, the violence and wars that were waged in the name of its people. Remember what happened to Hungary after World War I. Every county has to deal with the past before embracing the future. This is difficult to do. Croatia has managed to come though and you will too, but it is going to be hard. You also lost some leaders in this struggle, Zoran Djindjic for example, but you cannot go back. You cannot remain stuck mid-way towards the European Union and the process of dealing with the past. You have to deal with this heritage of what had been done in Kosovo and Bosnia and finally arrest Ratko Mladic in the name of all Serbs. When this is over and done with, the road to the future will be wide open”.