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Copyright © 2010 SERBIA TODAY |
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POLITICS |
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More active engagement of OSCE high commissioner on national minorities needed in Kosovo Belgrade, March 04, 2010 (Serbia Today) – Minister for Kosovo-Metohija Goran Bogdanovic said during the talks with OSCE High Commissioner on national minorities Knut Vollebeak that he expressed appreciation for his activities in the field of protection of human rights and the building of trust between different ethnic communities in Kosovo-Metohija. Bogdanovic said that the Serbian side believes that it is of high importance that the activities of the OSCE high commissioner are in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and in an unbiased framework in relation to the province’s status. The Minister for Kosovo-Metohija reminded him of the difficulties with which all non-Albanian communities in Kosovo-Metohija are faced. He appealed to the active engagement of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities. Vollebaek expressed the hope that the situation of all minority communities in Kosovo-Metohija will improve. He especially pointed to specific activities in providing adequate education. Bogdanovic and Vollebaek expressed their willingness to invest joint efforts in improving the status of non-Albanian communities in Kosovo-Metohija, the statement added.
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Any attempt at abusing Schengen regime will be punished
Belgrade, March 04, 2010 (Serbia Today) – Deputy Prime Minister for EU integration Bozidar Djelic announced on Monday punishments and the firm implementation of the Readmission Agreement for all those who abuse or attempt to abuse the liberal Belgian law regarding political asylum. Appearing in the Kaziprst show on RTV B92, Djelic stressed that anyone who abuses the Schengen regime jeopardizes the freedom of all Serbian citizens, warning that those who are repatriated on the basis of the Readmission Agreement will face even more difficulties with every future attempt to enter the Schengen countries. He stated that according to current data, around 300 persons made an organized attempt to abuse the liberal Belgian law regarding political asylum. The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the visa-free regime for Serbian citizens will not be jeopardized because of Belgium’s objections regarding an increased number of asylum seekers from southern Serbia, reiterating that all of them will be repatriated. Speaking on this week’s visit of French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, Djelic said that they discussed Serbia's EU integration, economic cooperation as well as employment visas for Serbian citizens in EU countries. Djelic reiterated that Serbia is an important unit of stability in the Western Balkans and has powerful arguments in defending its own integrity. Djelic also added that Serbia’s arguments for finding a compromised solution for the southern province are becoming stronger. |
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No pressure from USA to join NATO
Belgrade, March, 10 2010 (Source: Tanjug) - Serbian Army (VS) CoGS Lt.-Gen. Miloje Miletić says there is no pressure from the U.S. to change Serbia's view on NATO and join that organization. Miletić described his recent visit to the U.S. as very positive. Miletić told B92 TV on Monday evening that the American officials he met with are aware that the Serbian Parliament has adopted a resolution on military neutrality and that the country has opted to cooperate with NATO through the Partnership for Peace program. The Serbian Army chief stated that his Hungarian counterpart was also there during the visit, and that the three sides discussed the possibilities of trilateral cooperation, which would involve improving military capabilities. According to Miletić, they agreed that the cooperation would include crisis response planning, air force and peace operations, as well as the professional development of officers. Speaking about Kosovo, he said that the province remains the greatest security risk for Serbia and in the region. "The problem does not require a military engagement, but the situation is a cause for concern which requires a solution," said Miletić. Instability in Kosovo can be transferred to the region, especially southern Serbia, northern Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro, he said. Asked whether he was satisfied with cooperation with KFOR, Miletić said he was, although it abandoned the framework of neutrality through some of its decisions regarding implementation of Ahtisaari's plan and its decision to take part in forming the Kosovo Security Forces. "This is one of the reasons why the cooperation between the Serbian Army and KFOR was somewhat reduced, to a technical level," he said. |
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No agreement about Slovenia conference Pristina, March, 10. 2010 (Source: Beta) - Slovenian PM Borut Pahor that disputes have not been settled concerning a conference of the region’s leaders. He spoke in Priština after meeting with the Kosovo Albanian Prime minister Hashim Thaci, Beta news agency reported. Pahor said he would "like to see all the region's leaders in Slovenia, including Serbian President Boris Tadić and Thaci". Following Belgrade's demand that Priština officials appear under the name "UNMIK-Kosovo," the representation of states as well as a joint declaration remain problematic. "At this moment, I cannot say that all problems concerning the conference organization have been settled," Pahor stressed. He went on to say that diplomatic efforts will continue in order to ensure the presence of all Balkan leaders who would discuss the region's European future with EU leaders. "It is however not the only problem we are facing," Pahor noted, adding: "You imagine us at the end of the conference wishing to adopt a declaration on the EU future of the Western Balkans and imagine what a job would it be to compose a declaration acceptable to all." Thaci did not specify Priština's official position concerning its desire to take part as an equal state, but confirmed Kosovo's readiness to take part in all international initiatives and regional conferences. |
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Serbia sends Ganić extradition request Belgrade, March, 11 2010 (Source: Beta) - The Serbian Justice Ministry stated that it sent a demand for the extradition Ejup Ganić to the British authorities. The demand and court documentation was sent for the 64-year-old former Muslim wartime member of Bosnia's presidency to be handed over to the Belgrade High Court in order to finish the process led against him. A British court that refused to free Ganić on bail earlier this month stated that Serbia must send the documentation for his extradition by April 7. Ganić was arrested in London on March 1, on a Serbian warrant. He and 18 other Bosnian nationals are wanted in Serbia in connection to the Dobrovoljačka St. massacre. In May 1992, a retreating Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) convoy was attacked in this Sarajevo street. Scores of JNA soldiers and officers were killed or injured as a result. Serbia's judicial authorities launched an investigation against Ganić in December of 2008 under suspicion that he, along with others, directly issued orders to attack JNA facilities in Sarajevo – including a military hospital, the JNA Center, a convoy of ambulance vehicles, and the army convoy in Dobrovoljačka St.
All these attacks came despite a previous agreement that was to allow JNA units to peacefully retreat from Bosnia-Herzegovina. The investigation order saw Ganić accused on three counts – war crimes against injured and ill persons, illegal killing and injuring of enemy combatants, and use of illegal means of combat. Ganić was born in Serbia, near the town of Novi Pazar. He entered politics as member of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Party of Reformed Forces, was elected into the Bosnian presidency in 1990, and was also the president of the crisis council at the beginning of the war in 1992. As a member of the presidency and the vice-president of the post-war Federation of Bosnia, Ganić made his first official visit to then Yugoslavia on July 23, 1996, meeting with then president of Serbia Slobodan Milošević. He was the Federation president from December 28, 1999 to February 28, 2001. Former Hague Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte confirmed on June 3, 2004 that the tribunal was conducting an investigation against Ganić. |