Posted on 03/25/2008 1:34:32 PM PDT by Bokababe
BELGRADE -- PM Vojislav Koštunica says Serbia needs a stable government that will have a unanimous policy on Kosovo.
The Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) leader told the public broadcaster RTS last night that parliamentary elections had been called for this reason, following the unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence.
Koštunica did not directly answer the question whether he would cooperate with the Radicals after the vote, or whether he would participate in a government with the same partners.
He said he would cooperate with the parties that support his party's key principles - "Kosovo Is Serbia," membership in the EU with Kosovo as the country's integral part, economic development, and the fight against corruption and organized crime.
Commenting on the statement by Democratic Party (DS) officials, that the new prime minister would be from their party, Koštunica said "it means that to certain parties, power is more important than political beliefs."
“The question why Serbia needed presidential elections when negotiations were being concluded is justified,” he said, and reiterated his criticism of former coalition partners, the Democratic Party (DS) and G17 Plus, saying their stories of self isolation were the dirtiest form of propaganda.
According to Koštunica, statements that Serbia would isolate itself if it did not succumb to EU pressure were “nonsense”, because, using the same logic, one could interpret Norway’s vote against EU entrance as a vote for self-isolation.
“There is neither isolation nor the possibility of Serbia being exposed to sanctions. Self-isolation doesn’t exist because no state ever has done that,” he added.
“Things are being dramatized and presented as an either-or choice, as if we have to choose between Russia and the West. That is nonsense, that either-or is the most vulgar and worst form of propaganda,” Koštunica said.
The prime minister added that he backed the "dispute" with the EU and the countries that had recognized Kosovo's independence, which could lead to those countries withdrawing or reconsidering their decision, and later agreeing to new talks on the province.
Koštunica once again said Serbia should not sign the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) until Brussels stated whether it recognized Serbia within its existing borders.
According to Koštunica, Brussels and Belgrade had many issues to resolve, including "the illegal deployment of the EULEX mission to Kosovo."
"All that can be discussed, rather than only saying: Here, I'll sign right away, I have sharpened my pen...," Koštunica stressed and added that it was in Serbia's interest to cooperate not only with the EU, but also with Russia.
In his words, membership in the EU should be "left aside," because Serbia would join the EU only "in many, many years."
Koštunica once again stressed that he saw no reason for Serbia to join NATO. He recalled that parliament had adopted a resolution on the protection of Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and stressed that the document, among other things, envisaged Serbia's military neutrality.
If he picks Joe Loserman he’s finished - Kaput.
Romney would have made a better candidate - not great, but better.
Hunter was the best but the media killed him in the debates by freezing him out and the big international corporations killed him by not contributing because he was critical of the China trade scams.
Albanians were the imperial warriors for the Ottomans. Their role today is similar for the US in the Balkans. Everything old is new again.
I wouldn't hold my breath on that. The list of countries who have not yet recognized Kosovo and -- especially those who have definitely stated that they will never recognize Kosovo independence -- might allow limited airspace use or access from the sea for the specific purpose of assisting Serbia in her defense of Kosovo. Like it or not, NATO is the "occupier" and not the native to that region.
Ukraine is on the fence, Belarus and Romania have said "no way" to recognizing Kosovo, Montenegro has said "not yet" -- but the Montenegrin people have said "no way".
It's not as cut & dried as you might think. They don't want a war, but like it or not, Russia is a lot closer to them than to us -- and they aren't going to shoot down Russian planes over this.
Americans heading for north Kosovo, MakFax
March 25, 2008 on 2:38 am | In News in English, Kosovo & Metohija |
A thousand of National Guard members are undergoing training in the Federal State of Missouri in the frameworks of preparations for joining the international peacekeeping force in Kosovo, Voice of America reported.
Most of the force should reach Kosovo by June, once they complete the training course.
According to the plan, the soldiers are scheduled to serve under KFOR command until March 2009.
Missouri’s leading newspaper St. Louis Post cited Brig Gen. Larry Kay as saying that the soldiers are most likely to be called on to support NATO forces in volatile, northern regions of Kosovo.
ruh-roh!
“I’m just sorry the US had piece in this travesty.”
A rather prominent piece and it’s heartbreaking. I’m surprised they don’t make true the lies of hollywood and turn into terrorists, fascists or both. Certainly we can’t reasonably expect the Serbs to become our friends again anytime soon.
Thanks for the ping. I’m still waiting for someone to articulate some kind of justification for this; something that’s not nine-year-old leftist CNN/Euro news propaganda long since proven false.
The reason is because in the central geographic part of Romania you have populations that see themselves separate from the central government in Bucharest.
Bokababe, Ronin,
You are living in a dream world. There is no Russian cavalry coming to the rescue. They can do nothing. Russia is not going to violate any sovereign countries airspace or assist, help Serbia retake Kosovo militarily. Russia loves its seat on the U.N. far too much to risk losing it over direct military action.
Russia would be seen as the aggressor in its violation and disregard of sovereign territory. The consequences of such a Russian action would destabilise the region and involve far too many nations. They are hamstrung over Kosovo and are not coming to the rescue. Period. Get back to me and let me know when the first VDV/VTA units start arriving in Serbia.
"Kosovo independence" is not what it seems -- NATO ripped a piece of Serbia off to establish a permanent military base of operations.
"Kosovo" is now the first "NATO state" -- NATO owns it, runs it and will destroy anyone who threatens it. Welcome to the new millennium and the NWO!
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