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December 18, 2003
ERP KiM Newsletter
18-12-03
Nebojsa Covic calls
for Serb national consensus on Kosovo and Metohija
"In my opinion it is necessary at this very time to express the full
and active national unity of all political parties in Serbia in defense
of Kosovo and Metohija from the threat of Albanian annexation. Towards
this goal, I wish to propose to the leaderships of all political parties
participating in Serbian parliamentary elections to sign the Resolution
on the Protection of Kosovo and Metohija, and accept responsibility
before the citizens of Serbia for its realizationm, " - Dr. Nebojsa
Covic

Dr. Nebojsa Covic - Standards for Kosovo are fundamental revision of
UNSCR 1244
The "Standards for Kosovo"
politically, legally, economically and culturally carry out the
Albanization of Kosovo and Metohija, and create conditions for the
proclamation of the independence of Kosovo and the annexation of Serbian
national and state territory.
"With united political and
democratic will, we accept responsibility before the citizens of the
Republic of Serbia that we will fight with all our strength, through
democratic and peaceful means, against the goals of the document
"Standards for Kosovo" for the defense of Kosovo and Metohija as an
inalienable part of Serbia".
CONTENTS:
Coordinating Center calls for consensus on Serbian
national interests in Kosovo
All political parties participating in
the Serbian parliamentary elections called upon to sign the Resolution
on the Protection of Serbian National Interests and Rights of the
Republic of Serbia in Kosovo and Metohija - text of the Resolution
follows after the Press statement by the Coordinating Center.
Only 2.5 out of 36.5 million euro budget spent on
Serb returnees this year
Bishop Artemije and Mr. Nenad Radosavljevic, the special advisor
on returns to the UNMIK chief, strongly criticized UNMIK's return policy. Most of the money
allocated for returnees goes to international NGOs, their salaries and
expensive jeeps while more than
two-thirds of the pre-conflict Kosovo Serb population still cannot
return to their homes.
Oliver Ivanovic on Kosovo and Metohija: Lives and
rights in jeopardy
According to Oliver
Ivanovic, another scandalous decision in the Kosovo Parliament was the
adoption of the census law. According to procedure, namely, Serb
deputies submitted five amendments to the text of the draft law. The
arbitration, which is called a panel, consisting of five members decided
to adopt all five amendments. The Kosovo parliament presidency followed
suit. However, the deputies, more precisely, the ethnic Albanian
majority, adopted the census law without the Serb amendments! By doing
so, said Ivanovic, the rights of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohjia, as well
as of their representatives in the Kosovo parliament, have been
jeopardized.
Serb ministers in Kosovo Government boycott
Standards Plan drafting
Serb
ministers in the Kosovo government Milorad Todorovic and Goran
Bogdanovic announced today that they will not be participating in task
groups for working on a plan for the implementation of the document
"Standards for Kosovo". Describing the term "minorities" and
unacceptable to the Serb community, Todorovic said he would not consider
being seen as a minority until UN Security Council Resolution 1244 is
implemented in the province. "To make it more ironic, invitations and
documents were sent to us in Albanian," he added.
UN Envoy urges Kosovo to aim for standards of
"normal society"
Mr Holkeri said the 10-page standards document, launched last week
with local leaders, outlines "a place where people are free to travel,
use their own languages and work anywhere in Kosovo. A place where your
ethnic identity - whether Albanian, Serb, Turk, Bosniak, Roma, Gorani,
Ashkali, Egyptian or Croatian - has no effect on the way you are treated
at work, in the street or in a court of law."
Justice after four years: Serb man acquitted in
Kosovo murder case
An international
trial chamber in Kosovo has acquitted a Serb man of the murder of an
ethnic Albanian in 1999. Nikolic had originally been sentenced to 12
years' imprisonment by a panel of ethnic Albanian judges in Gnjiljane.
News from Kosovo and Metohija, December 15-16,
2003
More News Available on our:

Kosovo Daily News
list (KDN)
KDN
Archive
This newsletter is available on our ERP
KIM Web-site: http://www.kosovo.net/erpkiminfo.html
Coordinating Center calls for consensus on Serbian National interests in
Kosovo and Metohija
All political parties participating in
the Serbian parliamentary elections called upon to sign the Resolution
on the Protection of Serbian National Interests and Rights of the
Republic of Serbia in Kosovo and Metohija
TOP

The State Union of Serbia and
Montenegro and the Republic of Serbia's joint Coordinating Center for
Kosovo and Metohija
PUBLIC COMMUNIQUE
KCK
Information Service
Belgrade, December 17, 2003
Coordinating Center head Dr. Nebojsa
Covic addressed an open call to all political parties participating in
Serbian parliamentary elections and election list candidates to sign the
Resolution of the Protection of Serbian National Interests and Rights of
the Republic of Serbia in Kosovo and Metohija.
Dr. Covic emphasized that "the content and manner of adoption of
the 'Standards for Kosovo and Metohija', as well as the reception of
this document by the Kosovo Parliament and Albanian political factors,
has introduced a new phase in Albanian-Serbian relations and 'the Kosovo
crisis', which necessitates a new strategy and tactics with planned and
intensified efforts in the defense of national and state interests of
Serbia on the part of all political factors in Serbia: the Parliament,
the Government and the political parties.
"This
huge and crucial event has caught Serbia in a pre-election state;
consequently, we are in danger of not devoting our full attention,
political and diplomatic activity to the most important national and
state issue for a certain time, which is not short.
"Therefore, in my opinion it is necessary at this very time to
express the full and active national unity of all political parties in
Serbia in defense of Kosovo and Metohija from the threat of Albanian
annexation. Towards this goal, I wish to propose to the leaderships of
all political parties participating in Serbian parliamentary elections
to sign the Resolution on the Protection of Kosovo and Metohija,
and accept responsibility before the citizens of Serbia for
its realization."
Invitation to all
political parties participating in elections for the National Assembly
of the Republic of Serbia
Gentlemen,
The content and manner of adoption of the document called "Standards for
Kosovo", as well as the reception of this document by the Kosovo
Parliament and Albanian political factors, has introduced a new phase in
Albanian-Serbian relations and "the Kosovo crisis", which necessitates a
new strategy and tactics with planned and intensified efforts on the
part of all political factors in Serbia – the Parliament, the Government
and the political parties – in defense of the national and state
interests of Serbia.
This huge and crucial event has caught Serbia in a pre-election state;
consequently, we are in danger of not devoting our full attention,
political and diplomatic activity to the most important national and
state issue for a certain time, which is not short.
Therefore, I believe it is necessary at this very time to express the
complete and active national unity of all political parties in Serbia in
defense of Kosovo and Metohija from the threat of Albanian annexation.
Towards this goal, I wish to propose to the leadership of all political
parties participating in the elections for the National Assembly of the
Republic of Serbia to sign the Resolution on the Protection of Kosovo
and Metohija, and accept responsibility for its realization before the
citizens of Serbia.
(Draft
version of the Resolution)
Resolution
on
the protection of Serbian national interests and rights of the Republic
of Serbia in Kosovo and Metohija
1.By adopting the document "Standards for Kosovo", the Security Council
and UNMIK have carried out a fundamental revision in UNSC Resolution
1244 and thus seriously jeopardized the basic human rights of Serbs in
Kosovo and Metohija, and the national and state interests of the
Republic of Serbia.
2.The "Standards for Kosovo", drafted without the participation of
Kosovo and Metohija Serbs or the Republic of Serbia Government,
represent an annulment of the decisions and intents of the Vienna
Conference and the recommendations of the European Union.
3.By their content, and undefined methodology and indicators of
realization, the "Standards for Kosovo" do not reflect the political
reality of Kosovo and Metohija; fail to provide real freedom, a
timeframe and conditions for the return of expelled and displaced Serbs,
Roma and other nationalities; and by their intent negate the existence
and role of the Serbs in the political and collective life of Kosovo and
Metohija.
4.The "Standards for Kosovo" politically, legally, economically and
culturally carry out the Albanization of Kosovo and Metohija, and create
conditions for the proclamation of the independence of Kosovo and the
annexation of Serbian national and state territory.
5.The "Standards for Kosovo", if they survive as a valid political
document, would only complicate and obstruct Serbia's joining of the
integration processes of the European Union and weaken Serbia as a
peaceful and stabilizing factor in the Balkans.
6.The "Standards for Kosovo" paralyze possible and mandatory cooperation
between the Kosovo and Metohija Albanians and Serbs, the Republic of
Serbia Government and the Kosovo and Metohija Provisional Government on
resolving the vital issues of all ethnic communities in Kosovo and
Metohija.
7.For these and other reasons, the "Standards for Kosovo" are an
unacceptable political document for Serbia.
With united political and democratic will, we accept responsibility
before the citizens of the Republic of Serbia that we will fight with
all our strength, through democratic and peaceful means, against the
goals of the document "Standards for Kosovo" for the defense of Kosovo
and Metohija as an inalienable part of Serbia.
SIGNATORIES:
1. "G – 17 Plus" - Miroljub Labus
2. "Serbian Radical Party" – Dr. Vojislav Seselj
3. "Democratic Party of Serbia" – Dr. Vojislav Kostunica
4. "Democratic Alternative" – Dr. Nebojsa Covic
5. "Democratic Party" – Boris Tadic
6. "Serbian Renewal Movement – New Serbia" –Vuk Draskovic, Velimir Ilic
7. "Resistence - OTPOR" – Cedomir Cupic
8. "For National Unity Coalition" – Prof. Borislav Pelevic and Marijan
Risticevic
9. "Socialist Party of Serbia" – Slobodan Milosevic
10. "Independent Serbia" – Dr. Vladan Batic
11. "Defense and justice" – Vuk Obradovic and Borivoje Borovic
12. "Together for Tolerance" Coalition – Canak, Kasa, Ljajic
13. "Liberals of SErbia" – Dusan Mihajlovic
14. "Reformists – Social Democratic Parties of Vojvodina – Serbia" –
Miodrag Mile Isakov
15. "Socialist people's party – National Block" – General Nebojsa
Pavkovic
16. "Economic power of Serbia and the Diaspora" – Branko Dragas
17. "Labor Party of Serbia" – Dragan Milovanovic
18. "Alliance of Vojvodina Serbs" – Dusan Salatic
Respectfully,
PRESIDENT
Dr. Nebojsa Covic
TOP
Only 2.5
out of 36.5 million euro budget spent on Serb returnees this year
Bishop Artemije and Mr. Nenad Radosavljevic,
the special advisor on returns to the UNMIK chief, strongly criticized UNMIK's return policy. Most of the money
allocated for returnees goes to international NGOs, their salaries and expensive
jeeps while more than two-thirds of the
pre-conflict Kosovo Serb population still cannot return to their homes.
TOP
ERP KIM Info-Service Gracanica,
December 17, 2003
(Bishop Artemije: Grave
situation on the ground shows reality opposite to what UNMIK's boastful
reports try to present before the international community)
Bishop Artemije of Raska-Prizren and
Kosovo-Metohija, Mr. Nenad Radosavljevic, the special advisor on returns
to the UNMIK chief, and Dr. Rada Trajkovic held a meeting with Peggy
Hicks, the director of UNMIK's Office for Returns, in Gracanica
Monastery today. The meeting demonstrated serious discrepancies in the
assessment of UNMIK's return policy and its implementation. While UNMIK
tries to over exaggerate its alleged successes in returns, Serb
representatives explained that the reality on the ground is
diametrically opposite to official reports and figures.
Ms. Hicks, who tried to
justify UNMIK's return policy and her own efforts, met with strong criticism for
the surprisingly poor results achieved in the return of displaced Serbs during
this year. Although former UNMIK chief Michael Steiner had proclaimed 2003 to be
"the year of returns" and 36.5 million euros were allocated for projected return
projects, only 2.5 million have actually been spent on Serb returnees so far,
confirmed Mr. Radosavljevic. According to his assessment, "most of the money
allocated for returnees was spent on salaries of international personnel and
their expensive jeeps", as well as so-called "balance programs for Kosovo
Albanians". Mr. Radosavljevic highly praised the German Government, which
compared to others makes great efforts to ensure that its money is used exactly
for the purpose for which it is intended.
(Peggy Hicks, chief of the UNMIK's office for returns: There is still
much to do but we re doing our best)
Ms.
Hicks presented the Serb representatives with what she called a "Plan for
returns". She said that 14 projects have already been implemented and that UNMIK
expects more money from donors in the forthcoming period. She mentioned
successful return projects to Novake, Suvi Lukavac and Belo Polje, and asked the
Serbian Orthodox Church and Serb political representatives to provide their
constructive support for returns.
Bishop Artemije strongly
criticized the scandalous events in Klina last week when 10 Serb returnees
narrowly escaped lynching at the hands of a Kosovo Albanian mob. The stoning of
these Serb returnees was orchestrated by Ramo Manaj, the mayor of Klina and
member of the League for a Democratic Kosovo (LDK), who has been persistently
obstructing the return of displaced Serbs to Klina and surroundings. The Bishop
added that even more scandalous is the fact that, on UNMIK's insisting, KFOR was
not even allowed to provide transportation for the returnees from the village of
Bicha to their homes in Klina and consequently they walked the eight kilometers
to get there, exposing themselves to direct danger. At the same time, the Bishop
said, the UNMIK chief and Mr. Ibrahim Rugova, who heads the party to which Mr.
Manaj belongs, have not taken any measures to sanction such obstructive
behavior, which could have easily ended with a tragedy had KFOR not reacted at
the very end and saved the Serbs from the angry mob. In fact this serious
incident was not referred at the Kosovo Parliament session nor was given any
attention in the media.
Dr. Trajkovic openly
stated that some UNMIK bureaucrats are intentionally obstructing the return of
the displaced Serb population and making no efforts whatsoever to sanction
obstruction on the Albanian side. "As long as UNMIK's position with respect to
the Albanian extremists does not change, there will be no sustainable returns to
Kosovo," she said. "It is a supremely disgraceful irony that the same [KLA
leaders] who forced our people out of their homes are now the supposed
democratic politicians calling them back home," concluded Dr. Trajkovic.
TOP
Oliver
Ivanovic on events in Kosovo and Metohija: Lives and rights in jeopardy
Decisions recently passed in
Pristina a blow to justice, Serbia and UNMIK
An
especially indicative incident was the stoning of some ten Serb
returnees to Klina. As a result, the first attempt by Serbs to return to
an urban setting in Kosovo and Metohija was prevented. "Such incidents
or crimes if you will should be investigated as soon as possible by
UNMIK, and the perpetrators and minds behind it punished. If this is not
done, Albanian extremists and terrorists will be encouraged and will
continue to commit violence and terror against the Serbs," claims Oliver
Ivanovic.
TOP
Politika
daily, Belgrade
December 16, 2003.
(photo: Oliver Ivanovic,
a member of the Presidency of the Kosovo Parliament)
It
is true that a meeting of EU ministers in Brussels expressed support for
"Standards in Kosovo" but the document was neither debated nor
officially adopted. The UN Security Council, likewise, expressed support
for Harri Holkeri but the "standards" themselves were not adopted.
Taking this into account, once it is introduced by Harri Holkeri, the
document "Standards for Kosovo" will have the legal weight of a decree
by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Kosovo and
Metohija. This is what Oliver Ivanovic, a member of the Kosovo
parliament presidency and a Return Coalition (Povratak) deputy, stressed
in an interview with "Politika".
The document "Standards for Kosovo", it has been announced, still needs
to be considered by the Contact Group. This may result, said Ivanovic,
in a request by the Contact Group that the document be amended with a
provision defining who is responsible for the implementation of
standards, how they are to be achieved, and who will determine whether
the necessary level has been met. There is also a possibility that the
"Standards for Kosovo" will remain unchanged, and that the passing of a
new, separate document is proposed on the implementation of "Standards
for Kosovo". We will find out what will happen soon, said Oliver
Ivanovic.
Scandalous decisions
Despite the opposition of Serb MPs from the Return Coalition, the
Albanian majority in the Kosovo parliament voted in favor of the
decision to rescind all laws of the Republic of Serbia since 1989, which
have been implemented in Kosovo and Metohija on the basis of a decree of
the first UN special envoy to Kosovo, Bernard Kouchner, in 1999. The
Albanian deputies in the Kosovo parliament have thus shown their true
face - by directly attacking Serbia and UNMIK!
Less than two hours after this decision was adopted by the Kosovo
parliament, Harri Holkeri overturned it.
According to Oliver Ivanovic, another scandalous decision at the same
session was the adoption of the census law. According to procedure,
namely, Serb deputies submitted five amendments to the text of the draft
law. The arbitration, which is called a panel, consisting of five
members decided to adopt all five amendments. The Kosovo parliament
presidency followed suit. However, the deputies, more precisely, the
ethnic Albanian majority, adopted the census law without the Serb
amendments! By doing so, said Ivanovic, the rights of Serbs in Kosovo
and Metohjia, as well as of their representatives in the Kosovo
parliament, have been jeopardized.
It is necessary and advisable, emphasized Oliver Ivanovic, that Harri
Holkeri overturn this decision by the Kosovo parliament, too.
Encouragement to extremists
The Kosovo parliament has also passed a decision on the composition of
the Telecommunications Board. It consists of five Albanians. Their names
were not given until the Kosovo parliament session, without previously
providing their biographical data. The Telecommunications Board is to
decide on the distribution of frequencies for electronic media, as well
as to make other important decisions in the domain of
telecommunications.
Deputies from among the ranks of the Serbs and other non-Albanians
proposed to the Kosovo parliament that the membership of the Board be
expanded to seven members and that the two new positions be given to one
Serb and one other non-Albanian. However, they were outvoted by the
Albanian majority. "Those who verbally swear by a multiethnic Kosovo
have shown who they really are at the Kosovo parliament session. Not one
amendment or proposal by Serb or other non-Albanian deputies has been
upheld. It is more than obvious that in the Kosovo parliament anything
not Albanian will not pass," claimed Oliver Ivanovic.
There is political tension as a result of everything that recently (and
not only recently) happened in Kosovo and Metohija. What is even worse,
among the Serbs and other non-Albanians there is growing lack of
confidence in UNMIK and the Kosovo Police Service because murders,
attempted abductions and other crimes that occur on almost a daily basis
still remain unresolved. The most recent example was the attack on Serb
woman Zlata Djuric in North Kosovska Mitrovica. Basically, the rights
and lives of Serbs still remain in jeopardy.
An especially indicative incident was the stoning of some ten Serb
returnees to Klina. As a result, the first attempt by Serbs to return to
an urban setting in Kosovo and Metohija was prevented. "Such incidents
or crimes if you will should be investigated as soon as possible by
UNMIK, and the perpetrators and minds behind it punished. If this is not
done, Albanian extremists and terrorists will be encouraged and will
continue to commit violence and terror against the Serbs," claims Oliver
Ivanovic.
by Stana Ristic
TOP
Serb ministers in Kosovo Government boycott Standards Plan drafting
Serb
ministers in the Kosovo government Milorad Todorovic and Goran
Bogdanovic announced today that they will not be participating in task
groups for working on a plan for the implementation of the document
"Standards for Kosovo". Describing the term "minorities" and
unacceptable to the Serb community, Todorovic said he would not consider
being seen as a minority until UN Security Council Resolution 1244 is
implemented in the province. "To make it more ironic, invitations and
documents were sent to us in Albanian," he added.
TOP
Beta News
Agency, Belgrade
December 17, 2003
PRISTINA - Serb ministers in the Kosovo government Milorad Todorovic and
Goran Bogdanovic announced today that they will not be participating in
task groups for working on a plan for the implementation of the document
"Standards for Kosovo".
Todorovic told Beta news agency that and Bogdanovic received invitations
today from the office of premier Bajram Rexhepi to participate in the
group for "minorities and return" and "economy and finance".
He received an invitation to participate in the group for the standard
on rights of minorities and returns, which also includes ministers Ali
Jakupi, Resmija Mumdziju and two officials from the prime minister's
cabinet.
"The irony is that the group for minorities has a name completely
unacceptable to the Serbian community in Kosovo and Metohija. I have
absolutely no intention of being classified as a minority as long as UN
Security Council Resolution 1244 is in force in the Province. To make
the irony even richer, the invitations and instructions were sent to us
in Albanian," said Todorovic.
Noting that the document "Standards for Kosovo", which has been rejected
by Serbian political representatives, refers to ethnic communities, not
minorities, Todorovic said that "it is very obvious from the formation
of the task groups what the intentions are".
The Serb ministers in the Kosovo government stated they will not
participate in the government task groups until the issue of standards
is resolved and they are adjusted to take into account the objections of
the Serbian community in Kosovo.
"The standards need to be adjusted to designate the creation of a
democratic and tolerant society, not to serve as a roadmap for achieving
an independent Kosovo," emphasized Todorovic.
TOP
UN
Envoy urges Kosovo to aim for standards of "normal society"
Mr
Holkeri said the 10-page standards document, launched last week with
local leaders, outlines "a place where people are free to travel, use
their own languages and work anywhere in Kosovo. A place where your
ethnic identity - whether Albanian, Serb, Turk, Bosniak, Roma, Gorani,
Ashkali, Egyptian or Croatian - has no effect on the way you are treated
at work, in the street or in a court of law."
TOP
United
Nations News Center
16
December - The senior United Nations envoy to Kosovo today urged the
province to reach progress towards recently elaborated standards in
order to pave the way for decisions on its future status.
Harri Holkeri, the Special Representative of Secretary-General Kofi
Annan to Kosovo, said the standards - which include the holding of fair
and regular elections, the establishment of an impartial legal system,
and the advancement of a free media - describe "a normal society."
The future status of Kosovo, which has been under UN administration
since June 1999, is still to be decided. The UN Interim Mission (UNMIK)
in the conflict-torn province is supposed to help build a society under
which people can progressively enjoy substantial autonomy.
Mr Holkeri said the 10-page standards document, launched last week with
local leaders, outlines "a place where people are free to travel, use
their own languages and work anywhere in Kosovo. A place where your
ethnic identity - whether Albanian, Serb, Turk, Bosniak, Roma, Gorani,
Ashkali, Egyptian or Croatian - has no effect on the way you are treated
at work, in the street or in a court of law."
While "every goal will not be fulfilled at once," Mr. Holkeri urged the
Government and the people of Kosovo to work to deliver real change to
the province so that "one day [it] can fully join the European family."
He cited the examples of the transformation of post-communist countries
in Eastern Europe since 1989.
Mr. Holkeri warned that inaction could leave Kosovo "a crippled society,
perhaps for years to come," but voiced confidence that the province
would instead attain the standards and serve as a model to others.
TOP
Justice after more than four years: Serb man acquitted in Kosovo murder
case
An international trial chamber in Kosovo has acquitted a Serb man of the
murder of an ethnic Albanian in 1999. Nikolic had originally been
sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment by a panel of ethnic Albanian judges
in Gnjiljane.
TOP
www.b92.net
Beta News Agency, Belgrade
December 17, 2003
GNJILJANE -- Wednesday - An international trial chamber in Kosovo has
acquitted a Serb man of the murder of an ethnic Albanian in 1999.
A lawyer for Dragan Nikolic said the court had concluded the defendant
was not at the scene when the crime was committed.
Nikolic had originally been sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment by a
panel of ethnic Albanian judges in Gnjiljane.
The murder occurred in the village of Lubidza, near Vitina.
TOP
News
from Kosovo and Metohija, 15-16 December 2003
TOP
*Net News,
Belgrade
Tuesday 16 December 2003
19:40 The three-year anniversary of the Coordinating Body for Bujanovac,
Presevo and Medvedja municipalities was marked today by the opening of a
part of the Bujanovac-Gnjilane road to the administrative line with
Kosovo and Metohija and the signing of the agreement on reorganization
of media owned by the municipalities of Bujanovac, Presevo and Medvedja.
The Coordinating Body advised that the 12.5 kilometer section of the
Bujanovac-Gnjilane was opened to traffic by Bujanovac mayor Nagib Arifi
and his deputy Novica Manojlovic.
17:40 The president of the main board of the Socialist Party of Serbia
Ivica Dacic called on citizens in Kosovo and Metohija to vote for that
party in the parliamentary elections on December 28. On SPS election
list of 250 MP candidates includes 20 candidates from the territory of
Kosovo and Metohija, the SPS advised.
Monday 15 December 2003
20:20 After meeting today with EU high representative Javier Solana,
Serbia and Montenegro foreign minister Goran Svilanovic said that Serbia
and Montenegro wants to participate in the process of implementation of
standards in Kosovo-Metohija if a mechanism is found that would include
its interests.
20:00 Serbian premier Zoran Zivkovic stated that he expects Belgrade to
reopen the topic of standards and status of Kosovo and Metohija after
the parliamentary elections in Serbia.
19:40 Serbia and Montenegro foreign minister Goran Svilanovic and
Coordinating Center for Kosovo and Metohija head Nebojsa Covic called
the ambassadors of the Contact Group countries and expressed their
dissatisfaction with the way in which "Standards for Kosovo" was
prepared and the presidential statement expressing the support of the UN
Security Council on December 12.
12:00 Coordinating Center for Kosovo and Metohija head Nebojsa Covic
stated that instead of Harri Holkeri asking Serbia to apologize, UNMIK
"should apologize to us" and that EU high representative for foreign
policy and security Javier Solana should play a role in that. A
Coordinating Center statement quotes Covic as saying that Solana, who is
visiting Belgrade tomorrow, is "a man of authority who, first and
foremost, owes us an apology".
11:40 Serbia and Montenegro human and minority rights minister and
leader of the Sandzak Democratic Party (SDP) Rasim Ljajic assessed that
the objective situation in Kosovo is catastrophic. He went on to say he
does not expect progress a result of the policy of "standards before
status" either because all the issues are politicized and the standards
themselves are "not precise, not effective and not measurable". "One
does not have to be particularly smart, only to open one's eyes and to
see that the situation is bad and that there is still a black hole in
Europe as far as human rights are concerned," said Ljajic. He added that
this is now a problem primarily of the international community, whose
representatives come to Kosovo almost completely unprepared.
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Union Of Serb
Communities To Adopt "St. Nicolas Day Declaration"
Kosovska Mitrovica, 17 Dec (Tanjug) - The Union of
Kosovo-Metohija Serb Communities will hold a session on
Thursday, and, in view of the present situation which
followed after the adoption of so-called standards for
Kosovo without the participation of the Serbian side, adopt
a "St. Nicolas Day Declaration" which is to specify the
stands of Kosovo-Metohija Serbs, union's president Marko
Jaksic confirmed for Tanjug on Wednesday.
"Since the so-called Holkeri's (UNMIK) stands are, in fact,
those of the ethnic Albanians, which are unacceptable for
us, we will specify our views, stands and strategy in the
'St. Nicolas Day Declaration' with the aim of protecting the
survival of Kosovo-Metohija Serbs," Jaksic said. |
TOP
ERP KIM Info-Service is
the official Information Service of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Raska
and Prizren and works with the blessing of His Grace Bishop
Artemije. Our Information Service is
distributing news on Kosovo related issues. The main focus of the
Info-Service is the life of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian
community in the Province of Kosovo and Metohija. ERP KIM Info Service
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as well as the Kosovo Daily
News (KDN) News List
Disclaimer: The views
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do not necessarily represent the views of the Serbian Orthodox
Church
Additional information on
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Copyright 2003, ERP KIM Info-Service
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