September 20, 2006

KiM Info Newsletter 20-09-06

BREAKING NEWS: At least four Serbs have been injured in a bomb attack on a returnee Serb house in Klina, Western part of Kosovo. The attack was confirmed by Kosovo police and the wounded are not in life danger

Republika Srpska Premier Dodik on the consequences of the possible independence of Kosovo and Metohija for Bosnia and Hercegovina

Kosovo would raise Republika Srpska
to its feet

Glas Javnosti, Belgrade daily
Tuesday, September 19, 2006

If Kosovo becomes independent, people in Republika Srpska who agreed to participate in Bosnia-Herzegovina despite the fact they have been dissatisfied the whole time will demand the same status for RS as for Kosovo. We will ask for the right of confederation of a union of states within the internationally recognized borders of Bosnia-Herzegovina

BELGRADE - In the past few months the Serbian key duo of Boris Tadic and Vojislav Kostunica has suddenly become very, very close with Republika Srpska president and prime minister Dragan Cavic and Milorad Dodik, respectively. The visible drawing nearer of Serbs from the two sides of the Drina is being interpreted by some as a signal to the world on the fate of Srpska should Kosovo become independent. In other words, a resuscitation of the old story about an exchange of the southern province for the Serb part of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Dodik, who claims that the growing closeness of Belgrade and Banja should be understood exclusively at the level of political cooperation, also emphasizes that citizens of Republika Srpska would react to the independence of Kosovo.

"Our position on Kosovo has been known for some time. However, if Kosovo becomes independent, people in Republika Srpska who agreed to participate in Bosnia-Herzegovina despite the fact they have been dissatisfied the whole time will demand the same status for RS as for Kosovo," emphasizes Dodik.

In response to our question about the possibility of an exchange of Kosovo for Srpska, the RS Premier recalled the words of Charles Crawford, former British ambassador to Belgrade and Sarajevo:

"Upon returning home Crawford said that the international community has different standards to almost identical situations - Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina, i.e. Republika Srpska. Since normal coexistence of all is not possible in Bosnia-Herzegovina nor in Kosovo, he advocated that the peoples of Bosnia-Herzegovina have the possibility of choosing where they want to live. He added that it would be very difficult to use different means to address the same type of situation."

During the short time he has reclaimed the prime minister's office, Dodik has visited Belgrade four times. We saw him with Tadic at the final game of the European Waterpolo Championship, with Kostunica at the border crossing of Raca, and he even visited [the annual brass festival in] Guca. He also sat with the Serbian premier during a football friendly between Borac and Crvena Zvezda, and he hosted Tadic and Kostunica in Banski Dvori [the government building in Banja Luka].

Muhamed Sacirbey [aka Sacirbegovic], Alija Izetbegovic's right hand man, added more oil to the fire with claims that Slobodan Milosevic and Bill Clinton agreed on the eve of Dayton to give Republika Srpska the right to a referendum on independence. Dodik said he personally has no knowledge of this but that he believes it is true "because Sacirbey was one of the most important politicians at that time". Moreover, Dodik has requested the right to vote in Serbian elections for Serbs from the other side of the Drina.

Since Dodik is well aware of the obligations imposed by the Dayton Agreement, he emphasized that he knows what needs to be done.

"Within the internationally recognized borders of Bosnia-Herzegovina we are asking for the right to organize a federative republic, and because we are tired of constant rejection, soon we will insist on either a confederation or a union of states. The Croats are also unhappy. This will also have to be addressed at some point in the near future because we can't go on like this," said Dodik.

Commenting on the fact that Sarajevo is shouting from the rooftops that an agreement on special parallel relations between Serbia and Republika Srpska is impossible, Dodik only said shortly, as he laughed: "I am delighted with the fact that Sarajevo will turn green with envy when we sign it."

By J. Jevremovic

(Translated on September 19, 2006 by sib)

Against independence but too tired for action

How would the Serbian community react to the proclamation of Kosovo and Metohija's independence?

Glas Javnosti daily, Belgrade
Sunday, September 10, 2006

Aleksandra Jankovic: Although there is a position in our community denying that Kosovo will become independent but that is more or less verbal and I don't have the impression there is a clear readiness to defend such a position

Milenko Radic: In the event that Kosovo independence is proclaimed, the same thing would happen as in the past, i.e. there would be some short-range reactions like after the regime change, the arrest of Milosevic, the assassination of Premier Djindjic or the expulsion of the Serbs from Krajina

Two thirds of Serbia's citizens or 65.3 percent want Kosovo and Metohija to remain a part of Serbia but at the same time 46.5 percent believe Kosovo independence is realistic, a survey by Factor Plus Agency shows. These ambivalent feelings by the electorate perhaps best illustrate the general situation in Serbia 15 years after the beginning of clashes in the former Yugoslavia because, certain psychologists claim, "after everything that has happened, there is tiredness and resignation". In the last few days Serbs have gotten messages from different sides to "accept reality" and comprehend the inevitability of Kosovo independence but few people dare to predict the reaction of the local community in the event the southern Serbian province is proclaimed independent. Clinical psychologist Aleksandra Jankovic emphasizes that although there is a position in our community denying that Kosovo will become independent, it is more or less verbal and she adds that she "doesn't have the impression there is a clear readiness to defend such a position. By any means."

"What is evident is that the territory of Kosovo is occupied and that no one is reacting to that occupation differently than by commenting that it's awful. Everything ends with this. It is difficult to predict how our citizens would react to the proclamation of the independence of Kosovo and Metohija. It would certainly cause tumultuous reaction among people from Kosovo itself and those who have relatives there but I'm afraid that would be a sporadic tale. We're tired of reacting. Reaction leads to tiredness and tiredness leads to a specific type of passivity. This is a depressive position in which you become cognizant of the fact that you don't really have a choice. And when you say you don't have a choice, you very actively or passively accept the present situation and become resigned with the fact that you have no power to change it. There appears to exist a conviction that no individual action can result in a change in the situation. However, such behavior is logical because nothing happens without a reason. An experiment in vivo has been conducted here that has lasted for quite a few years, and people have gotten used to every possible variant," says Aleksandra Jankovic.

Milenko Radic, president of the Fund for the Development of Democracy, believes that the reaction of the citizens will depend on the general atmosphere created by the politicians themselves. He is convinced that even in the event that Kosovo independence is proclaimed, the same thing would happen as in the past, i.e. there would be some short-range reactions like after the regime change, the arrest of Milosevic, the assassination of Premier Djindjic or the expulsion of the Serbs from Krajina.

"The story from Kosovo would be quicker and easier because the people are used to it already and aware of what is happening. I think that no option for Kosovo will cause major turbulence among the citizens, especially because no [Serbian] politician will sign for independence, leaving the entire issue open. The politicians will rationalize that nothing is over yet, that we will return to Kosovo in one hundred or one hundred and fifty years when political circumstances changes, emphasizing that they signed nothing and so on and so forth. By taking this stance they will attempt to convince the citizens to accept this type of status for Kosovo," explains Radic.

Aleksandra Jankovic emphasizes that in Serbia the issue of Kosovo and Metohija has been stripped of its emotional charge, which benefits the advocates of the anational option "who are growing in number and enjoy increasing coverage in the media".

TRIUMPH OF EXPERIENCE OVER HOPE

"I completely understand the statement of President Tadic a few days ago that he acknowledges the position of the U.S. despite the fact that he disagrees with it because the U.S. is a very important partner for our country. This creates the impression among the public that the global police are going to rule Serbia regardless of what we do. I don't believe we have an outbreak of cowardice in Serbia but the triumph of experience, whereas hope seems to have waned. What we are seeing is not the triumph of hope over experience but that of experience over hope, says Aleksandra Jankovic.

By S. Dedeic - B. Ristic

(Translated on September 19, 2006 by sib)

REACTIONS TO KOSOVO'S PARLIAMENT SPEAKER THREATS WITH VIOLENCE

Radio Television Serbia, Belgrade
Monday, September 18, 2006 22:44

Serbian Premier Vojislav Kostunica assessed that the statement that Albanian separatists will resort to violence if the international community does not impose a status solution for Kosovo and Metohija upon Serbia directly imperil not only talks under way on Kosovo and Metohija but represent a direct threat to peace in the region.

"No one has the right to threaten with violence and terror and it is essential that the international community respond immediately to this most open threat thus far," said Kostunica.

He added that the international community has yet to concede to open blackmail and open threats of violence.

"Serbia is for peace and talks, and it is up to international community to put an immediate stop to the saber-rattling of Albanian separatists," said Kostunica.

Kosovo assembly speaker Kol Berisha warned in Ljubljana that the population may rebel in the event the international community decides to delay its decision on the province's independence.

No alternative to dialogue about Kosovo

The Serbian premier said that he is convinced that Christian principles can point the way to the path of reason and resolution in the present political negotiations on the future status of Kosovo and Metohija. He emphasized that there is no alternative to dialogue and that every attempt to resort to the use of force represents an imposed solution that will destroy the last remaining bridges.

At the opening of the ninth session of the Mixed Commission for Theological Dialogue of the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, Kostunica said that every path leading to an imposed solution without dialogue will only multiply already numerous problems.

For Christians and all who accept the code of basic European values, dialogue is a manner of existence, of interaction among individuals, peoples, communities, countries, cultures and civilizations, Kostunica said.

The Premier emphasized that the Eastern and Western Churches are an exemplary model to all through their own dialogue, of which this meeting in Belgrade is an important part. "The greatest gift to modern humanity would be, first of all, to convince people, starting with the political elites, that there is no alternative to dialogue and that every form of the use of force, the imposition of one's own models and solutions reflecting one's own interests destroys the last remaining bridges between confronted individuals and communities instead of building bridges of peace, trust, solidarity and cooperation," he said.

Kostunica reminded of the 150 destroyed churches and monasteries in Kosovo and Metohija under the international administration, the hundreds of thousands of refugees and displaced persons who cannot return to their ancestral homes, the acts of terrorism and the manner of living of the remaining Serb and non-Albanian population in Kosovo who lack elementary freedom and safety.

"I am certain of your pastoral feelings of solidarity with these people and with all people in the world who suffer in similar fashion, and there are many," said Kostunica. He added that he believed that the expression of this solidarity will be the prayers of the clergy for all the suffering in Kosovo and elsewhere in the world.

"My government and I personally will invest every effort for Belgrade and Serbia to remain a place of dialogue and exchange of spiritual blessings in the future. We believe that by doing so we express the determination of the Serbian people and other peoples living in Serbia," concluded Kostunica.

The Mixed Commission for Theological Dialogue of the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches is taking place in the Sava Center in Belgrade and will last until September 24. It is closed to the public.

More News Available on our:
Kosovo Daily News list (KDN)
KDN Archive

Earlier Newsletters can be found at: http://www.kosovo.net/erpkiminfo.html
Photo Galleries of the March pogrom are available at: http://www.kosovo.net/pogrom.html

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.

Disclaimer:
The views expressed by the authors of newspaper articles or other texts which are not official communiqués or news reports by the KIM Info-Service are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Translations from local media, reflect personal opinions of individual authors, or opinions of organizations that released the text(s). Please contact the copyright holders for reprinting rights and objections. KIM Info-service is not responsible for accuracy of translated texts, except in case of its own statements and news.

This site may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material.

Additional information on the Church and the life of the Kosovo Serb Community may be found at: http://www.kosovo.net

If you want to unsubscribe go to the page: http://www.kosovo.net/erpkiminfo.html

Copyright 2006, KIM Info-Service