July 29, 2004

ERP KiM Newsletter 29-07-04

Kostunica and Kosovo Serbs: No conditions for participation in elections

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and representatives of KP, SNC, Union of Serb municipalities in Kosovo and SPOT, have concluded that there are no conditions presently for the participation of the Serb community in the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Kosovo. Without achieving institutional guarantees for the survival and return of Serbs, participation of the Serb community in the forthcoming is not possible, it was concluded at the meeting on the occasion, as the government statement reads, of large pressure from international community representatives for Serbs to take part in the Kosovo parliamentary elections in October. Kostunica and Serb representatives have assessed that the previous elections, parliamentary and local, have not improved the position of Serbs in Kosovo, so progress is not expected from the forthcoming elections without serious institutional guarantees.

Members Of Coalition Povratak And Milan Ivanovic About Talks With Kostunica

Belgrade, 28 Jul (BK-TV) On Wednesday, members of Coalition Povratak talked with Vojislav Kostunica, premier of Serbia, about decentralization of Kosovo and the plan of Serbian Government for final stance for participation or boycotting of the elections in Kosovo.

It is very important for Serbs from Kosovo to reach an agreement with Belgrade. We have started talks with the president Boris Tadic last week, today we talked with the premier Vojislav Kostunica, and later on we will meet Nebojsa Covic, president of Coordination Center. Afterwards we would have a clear picture what Belgrade thinks about coming out or boycotting of the elections. What really matters is to be united, said Ivanovic and added We are expecting Kostunica seriously to consider the possibility of our participation and the eventually consequences of not participation. We have to come out with a sober decision, and not out of spite, which is typically Serbian.

The Plan of Kosovo and UNMIK about decentralization is prepared and it is before the envoys of the Kosovo Assembly. We are hopping that when it arrives in New York would have equal position as the Plan of Serbian Government. I suppose that the final outcome would be a combination of those two plans, and afterwards would come to implementation of it, explained Ivanovic.

We have not done a lot about it. Serbia is late with its initiative. The Plan has been submitted to the Assembly, adopted and processed to the international community. In the past ten days the councilor of premier Kostunica visited the capital European cities and Russia, but I think that it was a late intervention because in the meantime the UNMIK Plan has been seen and looked into in all capital cities and has received support.
Members of Coalition Povratak do not have great expectations from the talks in Belgrade but they hope that they would come up with a united stance about issues that concern Kosovo.

Rada Trajkovic, member of Coalition Povratak, evaluated that the Plan of UNMIK and Kosovo Government about solving Kosovo issues is irrelevant.

Milan Ivanovic, president of Serbian national Council for north Kosovo, stated for Tanjug that he is expecting that the strategy about all issues that concern Kosovo would be coordinated.

Who Guarantees Safety?

Belgrade, 28 Jul (Vecernje Novosti) In the past couple of days Pristina media has announced that as soon as even next month the Kosovo interim institutions will call on all Serbs which have left the province five years ago to return to their homes till the end of this year. These articles do not state if their safety would be guarantied or if the ones who stole their apartments, houses and other property are willing to return it. One thing is emphasized: return is for all who have not done any crimes before or during the war.

Serbian circles look at such statements as a kind of a political flare which can easily be seen thru and that it throws dust in the eyes of the international community in light of the upcoming UN discussion regarding Kosmet. These same circles consider the international community to be caught in a Kosovo dead end and that it does not have an adequate solution for this problem.

If we do see a public call this will not be a call for Serbs to return, but it would be more of a political trick in front of the eyes of the world. Circumstances are such that most of them cannot return because of their personal, family, and general uncertainty, lack of freedom of movement, employments and possibilities for them to work their land. It is not a coincidence that they are pointing out to the fact that only the ones who have committed a crime cannot return. We are all witnesses that only now after five year in prison we are seeing the release of innocent Serbs, which have been falsely accused of alleged crimes. Who of the returnees would be certain that some false witnesses would not point a finger at him saying he committed a crime. Without strong and sincere guaranties mostly from the international community and then the Kosovo governing bodies that they have sincerely decided to return the exiled only a small number of Serbs would decide to return. Many of them have paid for their naďve nature even with their lives, stated Dr. Slobodan Kostic, an expert on Kosovo developments.

This opinion is also shared by many representatives of Serbian communities ho also point out that Albanian politicians have in the past five years used all kinds of deceptions to deceive the international public and are at the same time doing everything not to allow the return of the Serbs. We still have fresh examples of how the returnees in Belo Polje and Obilic were treated.

Having in mind the calls for return there is certain hope in the recent strong guaranties of the NATO heads that warned they would most strongly sanction any attempt for repetition of the March violence. So the key for return is in the hands of the UN, EU, and US. When they wanted they returned the Albanians to their houses in a period of three months. On the other hand for five years now the will of 250,000 Serbs is systematically being destroyer, till they completely lose it.

It is in the opinion of many Kosovo Serbs that as things stand now at the end the Albanians can wave their announced call, which they have so generously send but no one from the Serbs can return because of the feeling of guilt.

BELGRADE MEDIA UPDATE, JULY 29

Kostunica and Kosovo Serbs: No conditions for taking part in parliamentary elections (RTS)

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and representatives of KP, SNC, Union of Serb municipalities in Kosovo and SPOT, have concluded that there are no conditions presently for the participation of the Serb community in the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Kosovo. Without achieving institutional guarantees for the survival and return of Serbs, participation of the Serb community in the forthcoming is not possible, it was concluded at the meeting on the occasion, as the government statement reads, of large pressure from international community representatives for Serbs to take part in the Kosovo parliamentary elections in October. Kostunica and Serb representatives have assessed that the previous elections, parliamentary and local, have not improved the position of Serbs in Kosovo, so progress is not expected from the forthcoming elections without serious institutional guarantees. It was unilaterally established that legitimate Serb representatives will bring the decision on the elections depending on the accomplishment of essential improvement of the position of the Serb community in the province, in accordance with the Serbian government plan, the statement reads. The prime minister and the Kosovo Serb representatives have concluded that UNMIK didnt realize the obligations that stem from UNSCR 1244, or the obligations of reconstructing the destroyed in the March pogrom. They also expressed discontent over neglecting the draft Serbian government plan on reinforced institutional protection of the Serb community, and instead of that, as it was concluded at the meeting, a new plan of local self-administration is being proposed, which isnt giving answers to the most difficult issue of Kosovo, this being safety of Serbs and other non-Albanians. It was stated at the meeting that nobody has anything against the building of a modern decentralized Kosovo, but that the proposed concept of UNMIK and interim Kosovo institutions isnt giving guarantees for the survival and return of Serbs.

Nebojsa Covic following talks with KP representatives (RTS)

The CCK does not recommend to Kosovo Serbs to appear for the elections in October, Covic told the press in front of the Federation palace following talks with KP representatives. Covic said he expected other representatives of Serb authorities to clearly bring forward their stand on the participation of Serbs in the Kosovo elections, as he said, both informed and non-informed. He, however, said that such an attitude would be changed if Prime Minister Kostunica called upon the Serbs to participate in the elections and explained why he was calling them. Otherwise, Covic considers that the debate on Kosovos final status should be opened.

Ivanovic and Krstovic following the meeting with Kostunica (RTS)

Kosovo Assembly Presidency member Oliver Ivanovic has told journalists following talks with Covic and Kostunica that, with previous negative experiences in Kosovo institutions and without institutional guarantees for the survival of Serbs, it is superfluous for KP to take part in the elections. Ivanovic fears there is not enough capacity among the Serb authorities to bring forward the opening of the issue of Kosovos final status. Asked what was Kostunicas stand at the meeting with KP representatives, Ivanovic responded that the prime minister proposed they should continue insisting on the international community and the UNSC accepting the Serbian government plan for the resolution of the crisis in Kosovo. KP caucus whip Dragisa Krstovic has stated that, as of today, there is no dilemma for this coalition and that it will follow in the future the stand of the Belgrade authorities.

Rada Trajkovic on talks with Kostunica (Tanjug)

KP AM Rada Trajkovic has assessed prior to the talks between KP members and Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica the plan of UNMIK and the Kosovo government on resolving issues in the province is irrelevant. That plan is irrelevant taking into account the fact that many international factors and organizations have marked precisely UNMIK and the provincial government as responsible for the March violence, she told Tanjug. According to her, all this creates a good space for the Serbian government plan to be part of a united strategy and one of the conditions for the participation of Serbs in the provincial elections.

UNMIK conducting internal investigation on March unrest (RSCG)

UNMIK Police is conducting an internal investigation regarding the March wave of violence in Kosovo, which encompasses more than 100 KPS members, UNMIK stated. As reported, the majority of policemen are Albanians, and the investigation is being conducted because of failure to prevent incidents, unprofessional behaviour, excessive use of force and doubts that certain number of them had participated in the conflict. KFOR has recently stated that the NATO investigation of Peace Corps actions in Kosovo during the March violence is completed, but that the report has not been published.

Submitting of amendments to draft Kosovo Constitutional Framework ended (RTS)

Kosovo AMs, without Serb AMs who are boycotting the work of the Assembly, have ended submitting amendments to the draft Kosovo Constitutional Framework. Kosovo AMs have agreed on the amendments regarding the changes for 38 amendments, but they havent managed to reach a joint stand on the four amendments regarding minorities in Kosovo. According to the amendments to the Kosovo Constitutional Framework, the PISG will be called Kosovo Democratic institutions, and the province is envisaged to have a Constitutional Court in the future. According to these amendments, Kosovo institutions will also have new responsibilities in the spheres as are international relations, public order and peace, judiciary, court, local government and power.

Commission for complaints and appeals completed (Beta)

Acting UNMIK Head Charles Brayshaw has appointed new members of the electoral commission for complaints and appeals. Apart from the earlier elected President of the Commission Janie Allison Sitton, new members if this body are Miro Delevic, Bojda Hajdar, Ragip Halili and Ejup Kamberaj. The Commission for complaints and appeals is an independent body responsible for passing judgments on all complaints and appeals regarding the election process, reads an UNMIK statement sent to Beta.

New coalition formed for Kosovo elections (FoNet)

PSS, NS and SPOT have submitted a registration for the elections in Kosovo, but this doesnt mean automatic participation in these elections, PSS and SPOT officials Dejan Milekovic and Momcilo Trajkovic stated. Trajkovic told a press conference that the newly formed coalition supported the Serbian government plan for Kosovo that was adopted by the Serbian Parliament, and criticized KPs work over the past period. He stated that the parties of the coalition wished to draw Belgrades attention and proposed two Serb lists at the Kosovo elections.

Reactions to Bots idea (Tanjug)

The initiative by the Presiding of the EU Council of Ministers Bernard Bot for the triple agreement among Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo has caught Belgrade, Podgorica and Pristina, but nothing less Brussels as well, judging by the fact that it was not possible to find a collocutor at the EU headquarters ready to comment Bots idea. The Dutch minister has brought forward that initiative at the press conference following the meeting of the Unions foreign ministers, who didnt discuss the possibilities for the solution to the Kosovo crisis, but also the future position of Montenegro within the state union, to be found in the triple dialogue among Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo. Bot, however, explained that this idea was not new and that he had already acquainted the collocutors with the initiative during the recent visit to Belgrade, and thus Montenegrin representatives as well.

The Director of the Forum for Ethnic Relations Dusan Janjic assessed in his statement with Tanjug that the idea of the EU Council of Ministers President Bernard Bot to look for a solution for Kosovo in a dialogue between Belgrade, Podgorica and Pristina means that the issue of Kosovo's final status is being left aside, and that priority is given to standards, economy and economic cooperation, as well as safety issues. "Behind the proposal is a firm decision of the EU and the US to wait until 2005 and in mid-2005 to draw up a joint report on achievements in Kosovo and in the region, and then, perhaps in early 2006, to propose a new policy of cooperation," said Janjic.

Polt: Kosovos future depends on fulfilment of standards (RTS)

US Ambassador in Belgrade Michael Polt has stated in Jagodina that Kosovos future depends on the fulfilment of standards. Following that, we will be ready to take part in the dialogue on Kosovos future, but not before that, said Polt responding to the question posed by Tanjugs journalist where he sees Kosovo, in Serbia or independently. In order to resolve the Kosovo status, it is necessary to fulfil some standards set by the UN, said Polt, adding that at issue are not standards that are being demanded only from Kosovo, but that these are standards that are expected from every open democratic society. Polt said that at issue is the protection of the rights of each individual, regardless of whether at issue is a minority or majority population. These are critical elements, most important for a modern society to normally function. Kosovos future depends on the fulfilment of these standards, the US ambassador concluded.

Dziedzic: Protection of Serbs main goal of standards for Kosovo (Tanjug)

The implementation of standards is of essential importance for Kosovo, and for this process to be successful it is extremely important for Serbs from this province to participate in it, opines the associate of the Washington Institute for Peace Michael Dziedzic. Dziedzic, who often visited Pristina, told VOA that all standards that are discussed, in whose formulation he took part as well, were aimed at the Serbs in Kosovo to survive and live safely and respectfully. Kosovo Serbs will gain most from the realization of standards, while, at the same time, they will lose most if they are not fulfilled, said Dziedzic.

Kerry's victory not good for Serbia (Blic)

American democrats think that the settlement of the Kosovo issue cannot be prolonged any more. In case that the democratic candidate wins presidential elections in the US that will for sure speed up things when Kosovos status is concerned. And finally, that will not be in favour of Serbia's state interests. Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry promised accelerated settlement of Kosovos status, BBC in Serbian reported. In his statement, aimed in the first place at voters of Albanian origin, Kerry promised that the US would undertake again the leading role in the Balkans and especially in Kosovo. According to his promise, there will be no division of the province along ethnic borderlines and the people of Kosovo shall have the right to decide about their future and the status. According to Cedomir Antic, advisor to Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Miroljub Labus, victory by Kerry would not be good news for Serbia. Over the last four years the Bush administration was far more inclined to the Serb side when the Kosovo status is concerned. We, however, failed to take that opportunity, Antic says. Raising Kosovos status to the level of a republic could mean disintegration of the state union. In such a state in which the only common institutions would be the army and the council of ministers, 2.5 million Albanians and 600,000 Montenegrins would have more power than 6.5 million citizens of Serbia that have the right to vote, Antic claims. According to him election of Kerry would only speed up such solutions. Let me remind you that Morton Abramowitz earlier mentioned that Kosovo should have the same status as republics of Serbia and Montenegro have. That would be something between a confederation and union of independent states. So far we have been underestimating the role of the US and that will cost us dearly, Antic says. President Tadic has not mentioned the Serbian government plan for Kosovo during his recent visit to USA, Antic adds. Daniel Server, expert for the Balkans of the Washington Institute for Peace believes that if the Bush administration remains in power, it would be satisfied with any agreement between Pristina and Belgrade under condition that such agreement does not affect sovereignty of Macedonia and B-H. He also points out to the enormous difference between the republicans and democrats when Kosovo is concerned. In US, a difference is being made between 'moving of borders to satisfy the existing ethnic division' and 'change of the status of actual borders'. Americans are more likely to accept the change of the status of borders than the first option, Server said. According to his explanation, the change of border status may have different interpretations such as, for example, that Kosovo becomes republic within SCG, or independence, or something else.

Kesic: Kerry must respect EUs authority (B92)

Washington analyst Obrad Kesic said that he is surprised by American presidential hopeful John Kerrys stance on Kosovo. Kesic says that the reason for his stance on Kosovo is most likely related to the fact that a large number of his international affairs advisors were members of Bill Clintons administration as well. One of the biggest criticisms against Kerry by the American media is that he is very unclear on what it is exactly that he would do differently from the current administration. They are saying that his stance on almost every issue is the same, from Iraq to talks between Palestinians and Israelis." Kesic said. Kesic added that if Kerry wins the election, his stance is likely to change when he is faced with the reality of the situation. One reality is that talks between Serbs and Albanians are already going on. The EU is the key arbitrator in these talks, and Kerry announced that if he is to win, his first move will be to create stronger ties between the US and Europe. Therefore it will be very hard for the US to make any big political decisions concerning the Balkans because the EU has jurisdiction over them." Kesic said.

Janjic calls for NATO anti-terrorism (B92/FoNet)

The Director of the Forum for Ethnic Relations Dusan Janjic claimed that a large number of organized crime gangs and extreme political operations are ready to resort to acts of terrorism in south Serbia. He claimed that the outlawed Albanian National Army had camps in the area, as well as in western Macedonia and Kosovo and that it had been building support for its Greater Albania project over the past year. According to Janjic, Kosovo extremists have been operating outside the province since the March 17 violence, to demonstrate that there is a reason for terrorism as long as Kosovo is not independent. Political extremism is connected with organized crime gangs among Albanians and Serbia, Macedonia and Kosovo in general and this region can be expected to become very unstable in the next few months, he said. Janjic called for a joint operation with NATO to deal with the Albanian National Army in Macedonia, Kosovo and south Serbia, adding that as long as local Albanians boycott Serbian institutions there would be room for extremism. He warned that the likely timing for violence in south Serbia would be in August and September, before Kosovos elections in October.

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