Belgrade, April 1, 2010

SERBIA – DECLARATION ON SREBRENICA

TADIC: DECLARATION ACT OF HIGHEST PATRIOTISM
BELGRADE, March 31 (Tanjug) - President Boris Tadic said that the adoption of the Declaration on the condemnation of the crime in Srebrenica is a historic event through which the people of Serbia showed it is an inseparable part of European culture and civilization. Respecting the victims of another nation is an expression of highest patriotism, he said. The Declaration is a great contribution to Serbia's democratization and to regional reconciliation, Tadic told a press conference. He expressed regret that Declaration was not adopted earlier, but noted that his visit to Srebrenica on the tenth anniversary of the crime and the present Declaration unequivocally demonstrate Serbia's political values and its views on the region, its neighbors and common future in Europe. Responding to objections by parties which are dissatisfied because the term genocide was not included in the document, Tadic said that the Declaration did not deal in legal qualifications and that the Serbian parliament simply expressed its stand on the crime. The Serbian parliament and people distanced themselves from the monstrous crime and showed that they do not support it, he said. The crime must have its epilogue in court by taking to trial all who were involved, he said. Tadic rejected all speculations that the Declaration was adopted under pressures from the EU. There were no pressures to adopt the Declaration on Srebrenica, he said. This was the decision of the people of Serbia, the Serbian parliament and political parties, he said. Explaining the need for the adoption of two declarations, one on Srebrenica and one on the crimes committed against Serbs, Tadic said that parliaments are always willing to mourn the victims from their own country, but that ethical greatness in reflected in mourning others. It is precisely the crime in Srebrenica, that some claimed they were commiting on behalf of the Serb people, that was a particularly negative and tragic event in the history of a people which has always been the victim, he said. This crime has thrown disgrace on the Serb people and its identity, Tadic said.

CVETKOVIC: SERBIA TAKES IMPORTANT STEP TOWARD RECONCILIATION
BELGRADE, April 1 (Tanjug) - Prime Minister Cvetkovic assessed that Serbia took an important step toward reconciliation in the region when it passed the declaration condemning the crime in Srebrenica, and said he expects the other countries involved in the wars in which crimes were committed to start on the path of real reconciliation. "It is important that the parliament adopted the declaration condemning the crime in Srebrenica and it opens a new chapter in Serbia's relations with its neighbors," the prime minister told the daily Press. "I listened to the debate in the parliament and I am aware that there are still differing views on how we should face the past. With this declaration, Serbia has began the important process of reconciliation in the region, and the future will prove its rightness and power," Cvetkovic pointed out. Stressing that the region needs to work toward long-term stability if it wants to develop faster, the prime minister pointed out that this is not "erasing the past, but a courageous move to shift responsibility for the crimes to the individuals that committed them." "States need to pay their debt to the victims and their families, regardless of religion and nationality, by shedding light on every crime and bringing the perpetrators to justice,".

DACIC: DECLARATION IS IN SERBIA'S INTEREST AND PROTECTS RS
BELGRADE, March 31 (Tanjug) - Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said that the Declaration on the condemnation of the crime in Srebrenica is in the interest of the state of Serbia and protects Republika Srpska (RS). Dacic told in the Serbian parliament that the declaration on the condemnation of the crimes against Serbs and other nations in the former Yugoslavia will probably be discussed at an early parliamentary session after the Easter holidays, that is following the harmonization of the text. Dacic expressed expectation that the text of the declaration will be acceptable for the majority of the MPs. He added that the authors of the declaration are the same people who wrote the Srebrenica Declaration and reiterated the stand of the SPS that all crimes that took place in the territory of the former Yugoslavia should be condemned. The text of the Srebrenica Declaration, which was adopted by MPs, is balanced and condemns the crime, Dacic said.

LIHT: ADOPTION OF THE DECLARATION SIGNIFICANT
BELGRADE, March 31 (Tanjug) - President of the Foreign Ministry's Foreign Policy Council Sonja Liht said that the adoption of the Declaration on the condemnation of the crime in Srebrenica is very significant, particularly as few parliaments in the region were ready for such a step. There might be some dissatisfaction with the way the document was formulated, but the fact is that something unique in history has happened, she said. Few states have been ready to express their condolences to the victims in this way, and to express regret for the horrible crime that was committed on behalf of the state and the nation, Liht told. She also described the adoption of the Declaration as a very important international move. Serbia has distanced itself seriously and refuses to bear this kind of burden, and many in the international community will understand this, she said. It is difficult at this moment to assess the all-round importance of this document, but history will be the judge, she added. It is essential to continue to support the war crimes court, she said. Any trial of perpetrators of crimes is a civilizational move for the whole country and the society, she said, expressing hope that this move will be respected in the region.

LJAJIC: SERBIA TAKES STEP FORWARD BY PASSING DECLARATION
ARANDJELOVAC, March 31 (Tanjug) - Serbia has made a great step forward by passing the Declaration, Minister of Labor Rasim Ljajic stated, and added that the regional countries are expected to condemn the crimes against Serbs, which will be another step forward toward reconciliation. Ljajic told in Arandjelovac that the process of regional reconciliation will be neither easy nor quick, especially not in times of the economic crisis. "In times when the country is faced with a strong financial and social crisis, some political parties think that they can improve their ratings with rhetoric of past," said Ljajic. The minister thinks that the Declaration was not passed because of the international community, and added that Serbia should not do anything just because someone asks for it. "Serbia passed the Declaration because of its own interests, and by that the country claimed the right to the place it is entitled to as the leading regional country," Ljajic is convinced.

KUZMANOVIC: DECLARATION UNACCEPTABLE FOR RS
BANJA LUKA, March 31 (Tanjug) - President of RS Rajko Kuzmanovic said that the Declaration condemning the crime in Srebrenica is unacceptable for RS in the form in which it was adopted, and added that it is counterproductive to the interests of RS and Serbs in general. Kuzmanovic said that the Serbian parliament passed the declaration prematurely, since the facts about the crime have still not been objectively established. "As a sovereign country, Serbia and its bodies and institutions have the right to reach decisions. However, since the crime is related to BiH and RS, we have the right to react," Kuzmanovic said. He added that linking the future of RS with this declaration in any manner whatsoever is unacceptable, since the passing of the document is Serbia's internal issue. According to him, the tragedy of Srebrenica should be placed in its proper historical and legal context, in order that full understanding of what happened in Srebrenica in July 1995 could be reached. "It is not correct to separate the crime which happened in Srebrenica from other crimes and sufferings which were happening at every war-stricken territory in the former Yugoslavia,".

DODIK: DECLARATION UNNECESSARY AND NON-BINDING
BANJA LUKA, March 31 (Tanjug) – RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik said that the Declaration was unnecessary and does not bind RS institutions in any way. "The declaration condemning the crime in Srebrenica was unnecessary and provides no help in settling the differences about the recent events in the former Yugoslavia," Dodik noted in a written statement for the media. Dodik remarked that it is neccessary to determine individual blame for Srebrenica and other war crimes in the former Yugoslavia and let the courts have the final word. "It is the only way to reach truth and justice, necessary for reconciliation among the nations," said Dodik. The prime minister said he fears the document will be "misinterpreted as proof of Serbs' collective guilt."

ASHTON: DECLARATION REPRESENTS STEP FORWARD
BRUSSELS, March 31 (Tanjug) - The Serbian Parliament's adoption of a declaration on the massacre in Srebrenica is an important step forward and very significant for the whole region, said Catherine Ashton, EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.

ASHTON & FULE: DECLARATION KEY TO REGIONAL RECONCILIATION
BRUSSELS, March 31 (Tanjug) - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule said that the adoption of the Declaration is an important step forward for Serbia and a key to regional reconciliation.This is important not only for Serbia but is also crucial for regional reconciliation, Ashton and Fule said in a joint statement.They also expressed their appreciation of the role of everyone who made this step possible.The adoption of the Declaration is an important step forward for Serbia in facing the recent past, a difficult by necessary process for Serbia's society, they said. Ashton and Fule also recalled the EP Resolution on Srebrenica and the repeated requests for Serbia's full cooperation with the ICTY, especially as regards arrest and extradition of the remaining indictees and continuation of trials at domestic war crimes courts.

USA WELCOMES ADOPTION OF DECLARATION
WASHINGTON, April 1 (Tanjug) - The USA have welcomed the Declaration that most severely condemns the crime committed against the Bosniak population in Srebrenica and views it as a positive step towards reconciliation. "We welcome the March 30th Serbian National Assembly resolution condemning the 1995 Srebrenica massacre as a positive step towards reconciliation, addressing the crimes of the past, fostering regional relations and promoting stability in the region," US State Department spokesperson Mark Toner stated. He said at the press conference that Washington welcomes Serbia's commitment, as noted in the resolution to continue its efforts to cooperate fully with the ICTY, including its efforts to capture and extradite to the ICTY the remaining fugitives. Toner reiterated that the US government generally agrees with the ICJ judgment that genocide was committed there.

KOUCHNER: IMPORTANT STEP FOR SERBIA'S FUTURE IN EUROPE
BELGRADE, March 31 (Tanjug) - French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner commended the adoption of the Declaration. This is an important step towards the future in Europe for Serbia and its neighbors, he said France believes that the adoption of the Declaration supports Serbia's cooperation with the ICTY, which is essential for preventing the Srebrenica genocide from remaining unpunished, Kouchner said. The Declaration is an important step towards the commitment to the future in Europe for Serbia and its neighbors, he said in a statement presented by the French embassy in Belgrade.

KACIN & PACK ON DECLARATION
STRASBOURG/BONN, March 31 (Tanjug) - The rapporteurs of the EP for Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Jelko Kacin and Doris Pack respectively, stated on the occasion of the adoption of the Declaration that although this was the right move, the crime that took place in Srebrenica was not defined or condemned in the right manner. Kacin said that by adopting the Srebrenica Declaration, Serbia has taken the right course, but still needs to explicitly say that it was genocide that was committed in Srebrenica, whereas Pack qualified the move as the smallest possible step Serbia could make. Serbia did not label the tragedy properly, which will prevent it from achieving the goal and expressing a true apology, Pack added. It is with regret that I have to conclude that sending incomplete messages is contrary to the European policy, which Serbia and its citizens deserve and which the whole region has been waiting for all these years, Kacin said in a written statement. According to him, the incomplete message that Serbia has sent with its Declaration will not help the country truly face with the past and change the situation in the region, Kacin believes, adding that a certain degree of disappointment is evident as regards the adopted Declaration.According to Pack, the relatives of the people that were killed in Srebrenica cannot accept the Declaration as a true apology since it did not condemn or label the tragedy that took place in this eastern BiH town in the right manner. Had the Declaration been properly concieved, had it labeled the tragedy as genocide, and had it explicitly stated that genocide was committed on the behalf of the state of Serbia, it would have given a clear picture of what really happened in the past, she said, adding, however, that it is better to have any resolution, than no resolution at all.

NETHERLANDS COMMENDS ADOPTION OF DECLARATION
BELGRADE, March 31 (Tanjug) - The Netherlands commended the adoption of the Declaration as a positive step in facing up to the past. It also expressed hope that the document will help achieve reconciliation in the region. The Netherlands commends the adoption of the Declaration on Srebrenica proposed by Serbian President Tadic and passed by the Serbian parliament, the Dutch embassy in Belgrade said. The Netherlands sees the adoption of the Declaration as a positive step in support to the initiative of former Yugoslavia countries to face up to the past, the release says. The Declaration adopted by the Serbian parliament is an example of this initiative, the release says. It constitutes a phase in the process of facing up to what happened in the nineties, both in Serbia and the region, in the hope that it will contribute to reconciliation in the region, the release says.

WESTERWELLE WELCOMES ADOPTION OF DECLARATION
BERLIN, March 31 (Tanjug) - German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle welcomed the adoption of the Declaration on Srebrenica, German Foreign Office reports. Westerwelle welcomed the declaration passed by the Serbian parliament, saying that Serbia's politics has taken a courageous first step towards facing up to its own past. The declaration marks an important victory for the moderate and pro-European forces in Serbia, he said.

SERBIA

TADIC SENDS EASTER MESSAGE
BELGRADE, March 31 (Tanjug) - President Tadic sent Easter greetings to Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Belgrade Stanislav Hocevar, as well as to all priests, Christians and citizens. "I wish that we spend the holiday in spiritual and overall peace, understanding and tolerance among the faithful, friends and neighbours. By respecting traditions and values, we preserve our identity, and by believing in ourselves, we can create an even better society," says the president's message.

MALOVIC: EGNER SHOULD BE EXTRADITED TO SERBIA
BELGRADE, March 31 (Tanjug) - The Ministry of Justice will do everything it takes in order to bring to justice Peter Egner, suspected of executing a great number of Jews during World War II, Minister of Justice Snezana Malovic said. "The ministry will do everything it takes in order to bring Egner to justice, provide him with a fair trial, and determine the truth on the events from the Second World War through evidence procedure, Malovic told after a meeting with President of the Belgrade Jewish municipality Jovan Elazer and President of the Supervisory Board Avram Izrael. The minister stated that the prosecution started an investigation since there is a founded suspicion that Egner, who is in the USA, took part in the executions or gave orders for the executions, and added that there is a universal rule that war crimes never become obsolete."The phase of investigation is still in progress. I expect certain reaction from the Court," Malovic stressed, and added that the ministry will react as soon as it receives court's decision on issuing a warrant.She pointed out that she discussed "the Egner case" with representatives of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade.The representatives of the Jewish community presented the minister with a declaration on the extradition of Peter Egner to Serbia, which, among other things, calls on the judicial bodies in charge, and especially the War Crimes Prosecutor's Office, to immediately take steps for Egner's extradition.

SERBIA – REGION

TADIC: WE INSIST ON RESPECT FOR SERBIA'S DIGNITY
BELGRADE, March 31 (Tanjug) - President Tadic said that Serbia is willing to work on a practical solution so that representatives of Kosovo's ethnic Albanians could take part in international forums, as long as that does not hurt Serbia's dignity. Commenting on possible ways for Kosovo representatives to attend the Western Balkans conference in Sarajevo at the end of spring, Tadic stated that Serbia is willing to find a practical solution so that everyone involved in decision making in the region can take part. "Regional forums can only be organized in accordance with UN principles and cannot be used to draw out implicit or explicit recognition of non-existent countries," Tadic stressed.

TADIC: FAIR TRIAL MORE IMPORTANT THAN ITS LOCATION
BELGRADE, March 31 (Tanjug) - President Tadic said that Serbia will not give up on its intention to prosecute Ejup Ganic, former member of the Bosnia-Herzegovina wartime presidency, but added that the location of a war crimes trial is less important than actually putting the accused on trial and ensuring a fair process. Tadic told that the countries of the former Yugoslavia have to trust their neighbours' government institutions if they are to find true reconciliation. According to the president, it would be good if the countries considered handing over their war crimes cases against indictees who are in the neighbouring countries, so that they could be tried there. That, said Tadic, would allow for more efficient war crimes processes and help build trust within the region.
SERBIA – ECONOMY

AMBASSADORS: SERBIA'S ADVANTAGE - FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS
BELGRADE, March 30 (Tanjug) - Serbia's main advantages in attracting foreign investors are a big number of free trade agreements with other countries, as well as the fact that the country is on the path of accession to the EU, a number of ambassadors to Serbia said at a meeting organized within the framework of a competition dubbed Invest in Serbia. They also said, however, that Serbia still needs to improve its business climate. US Ambassador to Serbia Mary Warlick said that Serbia should focus primarily on creating a business climate which will generate investor interest.A strategy of investment climate improvement should include key reforms, such as making restitution and joining the WTO, as this would make investors more trustful, she said. German Ambassador to Serbia Wolfram Maas said that Serbia is a very interesting market for German companies, and pointed out that the recession should be used to cure the weaknesses of the Serbian economy and make structural reforms. Mass said that investment amounts should be on the increase as Serbia nears its accession to the EU, but added that during the process, the country will have to prepare for entering the common European market. Austrian Ambassador to Serbia Clemens Koja pointed out that Serbia's market is bigger than any other of the former Yugoslavia countries, and added that the market is characterized by highly professional workforce, low taxes in relation to other countries, and a stable banking sector. He said, however, that investments in Serbia are still hindered by the country's poor credit rating, bad image, bureaucracy, difficulties in obtaining construction permits, and corruption.

IMF COMPLETES THIRD REVIEW OF LOAN TO SERBIA
WASHINGTON, April 1 (Tanjug) - The Executive Board of the IMF completed the third review of Serbia's economic performance under the stand-by credit arrangement, which enables the immediate release of EUR 360 million. The Serbian authorities previously indicated that they will draw only 50 percent of the purchase available under this review, which would bring total disbursements under the program to about EUR 1.3 billion, it is said a press release on the IMF website. "Serbia continues to perform well under its economic program supported by the Fund's Stand-By arrangement.The authorities' policy response to the global financial crisis has helped contain its adverse effects on the Serbian economy: the output decline has been limited, while falling domestic demand has resulted in significant external adjustment," IMF Deputy Managing Director Murilo Portugal assessed."Fast-paced GDP growth in Serbia before the crisis came at the cost of growing external and financial stability risks," he said."As the economy recovers, policies should be geared toward promoting more balanced medium-term growth.There is a need for stronger structural and fiscal policies to raise productivity, exports, and savings," Portugal pointed out.Serbia's initial 15-month stand-by arrangement was approved on January 16, 2009, for EUR 395.13 million. It was extended by one year and augmented to EUR 2.9 billion on May 15, 2009 to support the government's economic program amid a sharper than expected impact from the global financial crisis, it is said in the IMF press release.

KOSOVO & METOHIJA

KUCI: SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS HAVE COMMON FUTURE
PRISTINA, March 31 (Tanjug) - Kosovo's Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuci said that the Serbs in Kosovo must not be victims of the fact that Belgrade and Pristina have different views regarding Kosovo's status, adding that the bare minimum that should be done is to allow good projects, investments and strategies to go forward. Ethnic Albanians have a common future with Kosovo Serbs, Kuci told, commenting on the fact that the Serbs, especially those in northern Kosovo, still do not accept Kosovo's institutions, but are instead loyal to Serbia. Kuci stated that the Serbian authorities have an interest and the right to monitor the situation in northern Kosovo, cooperate with Kosovo authorities or the international community, but not to prevent Kosovo Serbs from being equal citizens. They are neither a part of Serbia nor of Kosovo; it is as though they were in a ghetto, said Kuci, adding that the Serbs from northern Kosovo should live, go to school, find a job there and have infrastructure. The plan that the authorities in Pristina have for northern Kosovo is a plan for democracy, said Kuci. According to him, it is a plan for order, peace and the economy, adding that is includes the new municipalities Leposavic, Zubin Potok, Zvecan and Severna Mitrovica and aims to complete that part of the integration and make everyone equal. Speaking about Kosovo's status, Kuci reiterated the view of Kosovo's authorities that its independence is irreversible. When asked to comment on Serbia's intention to restart the negotiations on Kosovo's status after the ICJ decides, Kuci answered that Serbia's initiative does not contribute to regional or EU integration and cooperation in the Balkans.

KFOR SEVERELY CONDEMNS DESECRATION OF SERBIAN TOMBS
PRISTINA, April 1 (Tanjug) - KFOR is concerned and angered because of the desecration of several tombs at the Serbian Orthodox cemetery in the Rabovce village, central Kosovo, KFOR Headquarters in Pristina stated. KFOR severely condemns the desecration of any tombs, as this a sign of disrespect for the eternal peace of the deceased. Such incidents jeopardize a productive and decent coexistence of the people in Kosovo, the statement reads. KFOR stressed that they will not tolerate any actions which jeopardize security in Kosovo. The inhabitants of Rabovac village reported the desecration of the tombs to the police, who searched the location and started an investigation.

FEITH: ELECTION IN NOTHERN MITROVICA WILL NOT BE RECOGNIZED
PRISTINA, April 1 (Tanjug) - International Civilian Representative in Kosovo Pieter Feith said that the local election in northern Kosovska Mitrovica, scheduled by the Serbian government, will not be recognized and that the only valid election is the one organized by Pristina. The Serbian government has scheduled an election for municipal representatives in Kosovska Mitrovica and Novo Brdo. It had dismissed the two municipal parliaments and formed provisional authorities on Dec 24, 2009. As the international civilian representative, I want to stress once again that the EU will focus on the election organized by the Pristina authorities, Feith said with Deutsche Welle. According to Feith, the new EU office in northern Mitrovica will help the integration process in northern Kosovo. Feith said that the EU strategy for the north complements the strategy of the Kosovo government and the ICO.