MONTENEGRO-KOSOVO-REACTIONS

Marovic: ICJ decision is more important

PODGORICA, Jan 16 (Tanjug) - Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister and Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) deputy chairman Svetozar Marovic stated that he would like if Belgrade could show patience toward Podgorica in view of its establishing of the diplomatic relations with Kosovo, adding that the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague is the most important.

Marovic said in an interview for the Belgrade-based daily Politika that Montenegro will reconsider its decision on the recognition of the independence of Kosovo if ICJ proclaims Kosovo's independence illegal.

Marovic pointed out that it is crucial to see whether ICJ's decision would proclaim Kosovo's independence illegal or it will leave space for various political interpretations.

He expects that if ICJ decides that the independence of Kosovo is illegal, Montenegro will be among the first countries to reconsider its decision most seriously.

Montenegro did not create the independence of Kosovo. It just accepted the reality. We have understood Belgrade's resentment. Montenegro's decision could not change the status of Kosovo, but it could jeopardize its interests concerning the Euro-Atlantic integrations, Marovic said.

SERBIA-KOSOVO-VUJANOVIC

Montenegro to respect ICJ's decision

PODGORICA, Dec 25 (Tanjug) - Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic said on Friday that Montenegro would respect the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding Kosovo, and added that “it is for him, as the head of the state, to carry out the final act of exchange of ambassadors between Montenegro and Kosovo."

In an interview published by Podgorica's portal Analitika, Vujanovic said that Montenegro would observe the decision reached by the ICJ provided that "it is fully explicit and represents an explicit recommendation and position.”

Commenting on the Thursday statement of Foreign Minister Milan Rocen that his ministry would have the last say in the possible opening of the country's embassy in Pristina, Vujanovic underlined that “it is for him, as the head of the state, to carry out the final act of exchange of ambassadors between Montenegro and Kosovo.”

The Montenegrin president said earlier that his country would respect the ICJ ruling, provided that the Court decided that the proclamation of Kosovo's independence had been illegal.

JEREMIC-LETTER-KOSOVO

Jeremic thanks countries that refused to recognize Kosovo

BELGRADE, Dec 24 (Tanjug) - Serbia's Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic sent a letter on Thursday in which he thanks the countries that have not recognized Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence for upholding the UN Charter and expresses hope that they would continue respecting Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The letter, addressed to the foreign ministers of the said countries, states that the next period is very important for the final decision by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the legality of the independence declaration made by the province's provisional authorities, adding that the ICJ decision must not be obstructed in any way.

"I believe that our countries can work together to strengthen the principles of the UN Charter, which is the basis for peaceful and negotiated solutions around the world," Jeremic stated in his letter.

He added that Serbia wished to resolve peacefully and by legal means the issue of the unlawful act committed by the authorities in Pristina, which resulted in a resolution by the UN General Assembly, forwarding the problem to the ICJ.

"Our view is that legalizing the so called 'right to secede,' as formulated by the authors of the Kosovo's independence declaration, would escalate many frozen conflicts, as well as create new ones," Jeremic concluded.

ICJ-KOSOVO-QUESTIONS

Deadline expires for responses to ICJ questions

THE HAGUE, Dec 22 (Tanjug) - The deadline expires Tuesday for submitting responses to the three questions which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) posed to the countries at the end of the nine-day hearing on the legality of Kosovo's secession at The Hague-based Peace Palace.

The states that participated in the hearing can, but are under no obligation to, submit the written responses to the court, after which the public hearing is expected to be closed. The proceedings will continue and the 15 ICJ judges are supposed to define their position on the legality of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence.

After receiving the responses, the 15 ICJ judges, headed by Hisashi Owada of Japan, will study and weigh arguments presented during the hearing that took place at the Peace Palace on December 1-11, as well as all written statements.

Mid 2010 at the latest, the judges are expected to render, by majority vote, an advisory opinion on the following question: “Is the unilateral declaration of independence by the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government of Kosovo in accordance with international law?” The question was posed to the ICJ in October 2008 by the UN General Assembly, at Serbia's initiative.

The advisory opinion is non-binding to states, but has significant legal, as well as political and moral weight, say experts.

During the hearing, all 15 ICJ judges were presented the positions of Serbia, the provisional authorities in Pristina, as well as 27 countries worldwide.

SLOVENIA-TIRK-INTERVIEW

Tirk: ICJ does not rule on Kosovo

BELGRADE, Dec 14 (Tanjug) - Slovenian President Danilo Tirk has stated that he does not believe that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will adopt final conclusions on Kosovo's secession, because “it will have to take into account the rule that recognition of states is a matter of sovereignty of the states that recognize.”

“The Court may analyze the circumstances under which independence was proclaimed, it may give its opinion on those circumstances, but it may not regulate to the states their policy of recognition. It is a matter of sovereignty of each individual state. That is why should not expect much from the Hague-based court's advisory opinion,” Tirk said in an interview published by Politika on Monday.

The Slovenian president believes that “the recent warning by ICJ President Hisashi Owada is proper,” underscoring that “all those who expect the court to issue a verdict under the term of opinion are wrong. An opinion is only an opinion,” said Tirk.

President Tirk, who is also a professor of international law, underscored that the issue of an unilateral declaration of independence is always disputable and linked with political tensions, and in that sense it is a threat to the world peace.

ICY-KOSOVO-ORADOVIC

Oppression is not argument for secession

BELGRADE, Dec 13 (Tanjug) - Deputy head of Serbia's legal team before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Sasa Obradovic has stated that the essential question the court will have to reply to is whether international law forbids or limits secession to specific situation or is neutral in regards to the issue of secession, as claimed by our opponents.

“Should the Court find that it is neutral, it would be very hard to understand the conclusions of the 1992 Badinter Commission, which opposed the right to secession from the republics of the former SFRY or conclusions of the commission of the EU experts in regards to the situation in Georgia adopted only two months ago, which also say that international law does not recognize secession,” Obradovic said in an interview published by Politika.

“There is no doubt that Resolution 1244 confirms the territorial integrity of the SRY, whose international legal entity was continued by Serbia. At the same time, the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 includes a mechanism for determination of the future status of Kosovo and not the status itself. The role of the Security Council, administrative regime in the province and the rules of conscientious negotiations were violated by the unilateral declaration of independence,” said he.

CROATIA-SERBIA-MESIC

Mesic: No one pressures Serbia to recognize Kosovo

ZAGREB, Dec 11 (Tanjug) - No one is pressuring Serbia to recognize Kosovo, whose independence is a new reality that Croatia recognizes, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic stated on Saturday.

Responding to the criticism of Serbian President Boris Tadic on the occasion of the presentation of Croatia's representative at a debate on the legality of the secession of Kosovo before the International Court Justice, Mesic said that Serbia did not have the capacity to establish the authority in Kosovo or for further talks on the issue and that Tadic's statements were not right, the Croatian television reported.

Croatia's media also reported on Tadic's statement, who said that presentation of false claims by Croatian representatives before the International Court of Justice is interference in Serbia's internal affairs and that appearances of Croatian politicians spoil the relations between the two neighbors.

ICJ-KOSOVO-ASSESSMENT

Legal arguments support Serbia's stand

THE HAGUE, Dec 11 (Tanjug) - The Serbian delegation headed by Ambassador to Paris Dusan Batakovic said Friday that the hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) demonstrated that the case of Kosovo-Metohija is not a precedent or exemption as some supporters of the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo claimed.

The ICJ advisory opinion should be based on a legal assessment of presentations of stands, while the legal arguments support Serbia's stand, the Serbian delegation members noted.

Everything else can be described as political interpretations, the delegation members said, expressing hope that international law will prevail over politics.

The countries which advocated compliance with international law presented valid and quality arguments which upheld Serbia's arguments and gave a serious legal tone to the hearings, the delegation members said.

Others mainly cited political reasons and free interpretation, the Serbian legal team said.

Russia, China, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Cyprus, Bolivia, Vietnam and Belarus presented a series of serious arguments demonstrating that sovereignty of states has precedence over self-determination.

Romania and Venezuela emphasized that Serbia has changed very much over the past 10 years and thus countered the arguments of US, German and Dutch representatives, who said that the right to secession is justified by violations of human rights.

Romania and Venezuela pointed out that Serbia is now a democratic state and that any reasons for considering secession as a possibility have now disappeared, the Serbian legal team said.

Unfortunately, instead of seeking a compromise solution, focus was placed on flagrant violations of the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and of the international legal order, the Serbian team said.

The hearings at ICJ have demonstrated once again that some of the big powers had promised independence to Kosovo Albanians in advance, and that they are now fulfilling these promises regardless of the fact that they are contrary to international agreements, the Serbian team said.

THEHAGUE-ICJ-OBRADOVIC

Obradovic: We are satisfied with ICJ debate

THE HAGUE, Dec 11 (Tanjug) - Serbian legal team coordinator Sasa Obradovic qualified Friday the completed debate on the legality of Kosovo's secession before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as positive and pointed out that during the session, numerous legally founded arguments in favor of Serbia's interests were heard.

“We are satisfied with the situation since we did everything in our might and we were supported by many states which by their presentations defended and fulfilled Serbia's argumentation,” Obradovic told Tanjug.

Among the states that defended Serbia's interests and international law and order there were two permanent members of the UN Security Council - China and Russia, and also Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Cyprus, Venezuela and others, Obradovic recalled.

According to him, we are now to wait for the answers to three questions posed by three ICJ judges to the states which took part in the debate, and then for the advisory opinion of the court which can be expected by summer 2010 the latest.

In the Peace Palace in The Hague, a nine-day debate on the legality of Kosovo's secession was closed before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which had been initiated by Serbia and demanded by the United Nations General Assembly in October 2008.

ICJ-DEBATE-CLOSURE

Debate before ICJ closed

THE HAGUE, Dec 11 (Tanjug) - In the Peace Palace in The Hague, Venezuela and Vietnam closed Friday a nine-day debate on the legality of Kosovo's secession before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which was initiated by Serbia and demanded by the United Nations General Assembly in October 2008.

ICJ set a deadline for all debate participants to file their written responses to the three question posed by the judges from Morocco, Brazil and Sierra Leone by December 22, after which the court should analyze the presented arguments in a written form and also during an oral debate in the second phase of the process.

The question posed by Abdul G. Koroma, a judge from Sierra Leone, is: how do principles of international law allow secession of an entity without a state's agreement?

Defending Serbia's interests on the last day of the legal fight for Kosovo, Venezuela and Vietnam stated that Kosovo's secession is not in conformity with the international law and threatens to endanger not only the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia, but also the international order in general.

Venezuela said that the statements of some counties that are in favor of the thesis that the entities acquire right to secession in case of violation of human rights are dangerous.

Since they have heard Serbia's stands, then the author of the unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence and 28 more states among which there were all five permanent members of the UN Security Council, 15 ICJ judges headed by Japanese judge Hisashi Owada are to study and assess the presented arguments upon receiving written responses to today's three questions.

After that and according to expectations by the middle of 2010 the latest, the ICJ majority will voice its advisory opinion on the legality of Kosovo's secession which is not binding for the states but will, according to experts, have great legal, political and moral importance.

TADIC-CROATIA-ICJ

Tadic: Croatia interferes in Serbia's affairs before ICJ

PALIC, Dec 11 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic stated in Palic last night that the appearance of Croatia's politicians and representatives before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague spoils the relations between Serbia and Croatia.

President Tadic told reporters that presenting false allegations by Croatia's representative before the ICJ in the proceedings on the legality of the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo and Metohija is interfering in Serbia's internal affairs.

“I expect Croatia's officials to define their position and I hope that the intention was not to reduce our relations to a lower level,” said Tadic, recalling that the good neighborly relations are a prerequisite for European integrations of all West Balkan countries.

President Tadic disapproved of the intent of Croatia's outgoing President Stjepan Mesic to visit Kosovo and Metohija on Orthodox Christmas Day in order to give support to the provisional self-government institutions in Pristina.

ICJ-KOSOVO-DEBATE

Venezuela and Vietnam to defend Serbia's position on Kosovo

THE HAGUE, Dec 11 (Tanjug) - The nine-day hearing before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality of the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo, brought before the Court by the UN General Assembly in October 2008, at Serbia's initiative, will end Friday at the Peace Palace in The Hague.

On the last of the legal battle for Kosovo, representatives of Vietnam and Venezuela will defend Serbia's position, as these countries have not recognized the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo.

MONTENEGRO-SERBIA-MAROVIC

Diplomatic relations with Kosovo after ICJ ruling

BELGRADE, Dec 11 (Tanjug) - Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister Svetozar Marovic on Friday stated that Montenegro most sincerely wants to have the best possible relations with Serbia and that it will not establish diplomatic relations with Kosovo before a ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is discussing the issue of legality of Kosovo's secession.

Marovic, who is also the vice-president of the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists, said in a statement published by the Belgrade daily Danas that it is not an official stand of the Montenegrin government not to establish diplomatic relations with Kosovo before the ICJ makes a ruling, but that he sees no reason to rush things.

When asked whether Montenegro would review its decision to recognize independence of Kosovo if the ICJ rules that the independence proclamation by Kosovo was illegal, Marovic said that Montenegro would consider every decision of the Court with respect.

Underscoring that Serbia's future is within the European Union and wishing Serbia success on its path to the EU, Marovic said that it was not Montenegro that had made Kosovo independent but citizens of Kosovo and great powers, while Montenegro had only accepted the realistic circumstances, “having in mind that any decision it makes it would not change the reality, but it could only damage its (Montenegrin) interests.”

MONTENEGRO-SERBIA-MAROVIC

Diplomatic relations with Kosovo after ICJ ruling

ICJ-KOSOVO-DEBATE

Venezuela and Vietnam to defend Serbia's position on Kosovo

After the completion of the public debate, the 15 judges will examine and weigh the presented arguments, and they are expected to give an advisory opinion on the legality of Kosovo's secession by mid-2010 at the latest.

ICJ-OBRADOVIC

Obradovic: Netherlands counters Serbia's stand on Kosovo

THE HAGUE, Dec 10 (Tanjug) - Coordinator of the Serbian delegation to the debate at the International Court of Justice (ICJ on the legality of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence Sasa Obradovic said Thursday that Romania's representatives presented very good arguments against Kosovo's secession, while The Netherlands strongly countered Serbia's stand on Kosovo.

Romania's representatives had a very good presentation. They summed up all counter arguments to Serbia's stand and gave answers in defense of Serbia's position, Obradovic told Tanjug.

The Serbian delegation is very pleased with the presentation of Romania's representatives who defended Serbia's stands, he said.

As regards The Netherlands, its representatives strongly countered Serbia's stand, but not on the basis of neutrality of international law in regard to Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence like the majority of states advocating stands contrary to that of Serbia, but quite to the contrary, Obradovic noted.

The Netherlands claimed that secession was in keeping with international law given mass violations of human rights in Kosovo, he said.

This does not, however, mean that some of the judges will not have a different view, he said.

Unlike The Netherlands, Great Britain advocated neutrality of international law and their statement was rhetorically powerful more than an expression of support to some fundamental international law principles, Obradovic added.

THEHAGUE-ICJ-ROMANIA

Romania supports Serbia's interests before ICJ

THE HAGUE, Dec 10 (Tanjug) - In the Peace Palace in The Hague, Romania stated Thursday that the unilateral declaration of the independence of Kosovo has violated the basic principles of international right, whereas Holland and the Great Britain upheld the stand that Kosovo's secession is not against international right.

On the eight day of the debate before the International Court of Justice, the representatives of Romania stated that the unilateral declaration of the independence of Kosovo is against international right and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.

Serbia violated the basic human rights of the citizens in Kosovo in the last decade of the previous century, but at the moment of declaration of Kosovo's independence in February 2008, Belgrade had no control over Kosovo and there was no violation of rights that could justify the secession, Romanian delegate Cosmin Dinescu stated.

Dinescu pointed out to the ICJ judges that Kosovo had a specific status in the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRJ) and that at the moment of Kosovo's unilateral proclamation of independence SFRJ had not existed for 16 years.

On the other hand, Holland said that the people of Kosovo had right to make decisions on their own and to secede from Serbia given that Belgrade had been violating the civil and human rights of ethnic Albanians for years.

Therefore, international right does not allow the proclamation of Kosovo's independence since, as representative of the Dutch delegation Liesbeth Lijnzaad puts it, peoples have right to make decisions by themselves and that is their last means when they are denied the right within a state and all other possibilities have already been exhausted through talks and political processes.

The Great Britain stated that international right does not regulate the right to secession i.e. it is neutral in relation to the right.

ICJ-KOSOVO-DEBATE

Debate on Kosovo before ICJ is close to end

THE HAGUE, Dec 10 (Tanjug) - The host of the public hearing, the Netherlands, as well as Laos, Romania and Great Britain, will state their opinions on the legality of Kosovo's secession at the Peace Palace in The Hague Thursday, before 15 judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

On the eight day of the debate, Holland and Great Britain will speak in favor of Kosovo, whereas Romania will defend Serbia's interests, which Laos is also expected to do, as the country has not recognized Kosovo's independence.

Friday is the last day of the ICJ session regarding the issue of accordance with international law of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo by its interim institutions, which was brought before the Court by the UN General Assembly in October 2008, at Serbia's initiative.

On the ninth day of the legal battle for Kosovo, representatives of Vietnam and Venezuela will speak against Kosovo's secession.

ICTY-ABDUCTED-DEMANDS

Families of abducted Kosovo Serbs send public letter to ICTY

BELGRADE, Dec 9 (Tanjug) - The Association of the Families of the Kidnapped and Murdered in Kosovo and Metohija sent a public letter on Wednesday to the Belgrade office of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), ahead of the International Human Rights Day, in which they list their requests for the ICTY to find out what has happened to 540 Serbs and other non-Albanians who have been kidnapped in Kosovo.

"There is no worse violation of human rights than kidnapping people, abusing them and trading in their organs," says the letter, asking that the families' requests be delivered to the ICTY Prosecutor's Office and the Serbian War Crimes Prosecutor.

The association sent the public letter because it did not receive any reply when it asked for its delegation to meet with officials from the ICTY Belgrade office and deliver the list of requests.

The letter states that "more than 2,500 Serbs and other non-Albanians have been viciously killed since 1989 for the simple reason of belonging to a different ethnic and religious group," and that several hundred of them were kidnapped and tortured first by members of the province's majority population of ethnic Albanians.

The victims' families, therefore, ask the ICTY and the Serbian War Crimes Prosecutor to put pressure on the governments of the countries that have had their forces stationed in Kosovo at any time since mid-June 1999 and have them hand over all the documentation and records on those crimes.

The association's list of requests asks for equal treatment of all crime victims, regardless of their ethnicity and religion, because the murdered Serbs and non-Albanians have been treated like "second class victims" in the past ten years.

The families requested that all mass and individual graves in Kosovo and northern Albania be investigated, including the so called "yellow house," which, according to the letter, definitely hides the truth about horrifying crimes and organ trafficking.

Finally, the victims' families request that the Tribunal and the War Crimes Prosecutor find the lists with full names of over 200 Albanian criminals that the association had delivered to some top officials from the ICTY, UNMIK and KFOR earlier.

ICJ-HEARING-REPORT

France, Norway and Jordan defend Kosovo's secession

THE HAGUE, Dec 9 (Tanjug) - France, Norway and Jordan defended Kosovo's secession before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday, the seventh day of the hearing on the legality of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence, saying that the act was not against international law.

These three countries have recognized Kosovo's independence, but Norway also supported Serbia's initiative at the UN General Assembly last year to request an advisory opinion from the ICJ concerning the issue.

France, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, claimed that the declaration of independence was not against international law because it did not violate the principle of territorial integrity, since the principle referred only to the relations between countries, and not between countries and entities.

According to a French delegation representative, the issue of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence had been imposed on the UN General Assembly artificially, because it cannot act in any way concerning the matter.

The French representative suggested that the Court should refuse to take a stand on Kosovo's secession, stating that the answer to the legality question would be devoid of any practical effect.

Norway and Jordan also argued in favour of Kosovo's independence, asserting that the act was not against international law.

ROMANIA-ICJ-SUPPORT

Romania to support Serbia before ICJ

BUCHAREST, Dec 9 (Tanjug) - Romania will support before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on Tuesday the stand that the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo's independence is against the basic principles of international right, the Romania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

According to the statement, Romania's arguments will be presented before ICJ by Bogdan Aurescu and Cosmin Dinescu in a 45-minute presentation, on the eighth day of the debate on the Kosovo issue, the Romanian agency AGERPRES reported.

Romanian President Traian Basescu stated early in September that his country will support Serbia's interests before ICJ, which is to decide on the legality of Kosovo's unilateral proclamation of independence, adding that Romania does not recognize Kosovo.

On the occasion, Basescu pointed out that his country would like to be Serbia's partner before ICJ since the territorial secessions are unacceptable under any circumstances.

ICJ-RUSSIA-USA

Russia and USA confront their views on Kosovo

THE HAGUE, Dec 8 (Tanjug) - The world's two greatest powers, Russia and the USA, presented their arguments on the legality of Kosovo's secession before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Tuesday.

The Russian Federation backed Serbia's point of view, stressing that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence had violated international law and UN Security Council Resolution 1244, while the U.S. advocated the opposite view.

Spain also argued against Kosovo's independence, while Finland, the home country Martti Ahtisaari, who gave the provisional authorities in Pristina the green light to declare independence, defended the move.

Russia stated that Resolution 1244 was still in power and guaranteeing Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, pointing out that international law prevented Kosovo from declaring independence because the people in Kosovo did not have the right to secede.

The U.S. delegation said that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence was an indicator of the will of the people in Kosovo, thereby inviting the ICJ to leave it as it is, either by not taking a stand on its legality or by saying that international law does not prohibit independence declarations.

Spain argued that the declaration was against international law, in violation of Resolution 1244 and that the Kosovo status negotiations had to be continued.

Finland suggested that the Court should confirm the legality of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence in its advisory opinion, which will be delivered after the hearing.

ICJ-RUSSIA-USA

Russia and US to confront stands on Kosovo before ICJ

THE HAGUE, Dec 8 (Tanjug) - In the Peace Palace in The Hague, the two leading world powers and members of the Security Council, Russia and US, are to confront their arguments concerning the legality of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence before 15 judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

ICJ-CHINA-OBRADOVIC

Obradovic: China and Cyprus have been of great assistance

THE HAGUE, Dec 7 (Tanjug) - Serbian legal team coordinator Sasa Obradovic said Monday that China and Cyprus helped significantly in the defence of Serbia's interest by arguing against Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence before the International Court of Justice.

"China, a member of the UN Security Council presented an argument that is very close to an authentic interpretation of the 1244 Resolution, which is because it was the country that initiated the amendment that guaranteed the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia," Obradovic told Tanjug.

He said that the argument by the Cypriot representatives was very convincing, adding that they had held a veritable lecture on why the secession was illegal.

According to Obradovic, the Cypriot representative had gone one step further, stating that even if the UN Security Council said that Kosovo was independent, it would still be against international law if done without Belgrade's compliance, which Obradovic commented as being "interesting, but also true."

Obradovic stated that Croatia had based its argument mostly on Kosovo's position within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugosavia, claiming that both Vojvodina and Kosovo had had all the elements of statehood, that they had been equals compared to the republics within the country and that therefore, they had had the right to secede.

Denmark mostly repeated the main points already stated by Austria and Germany, stressing that international law was actually neutral when it came to Kosovo's secession, which is incorrect, said Obradovic.

ICJ-KOSOVO-CHINA

China argues against Kosovo's independence

THE HAGUE, Dec 7 (Tanjug) - China and Cyprus stated before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Monday that the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo was not in accordance with international law, warning about the far-reaching consequences that legalizing the secession might have on international peace and order.

The Croatian and Danish representatives spoke before the Court the same day, but their arguments were in favour of Kosovo's secession.

Speaking at the the ICJ hearing on the legality of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence, China stated that according to international law, integral parts of sovereign states do not have the right to secede unilaterally, adding that Kosovo was part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, i.e. Serbia, after the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia fell apart.

Therefore, according to China's legal representative Xia Hanchin, the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo was a violation of international law and a breach of UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

She underscored that China had insisted that an amendment be added to the 1244 Resolution guaranteeing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the FR Yugoslavia.

According to Hanchin, neither the provisional government in Pristina nor the international administration had the right to declare Kosovo's independence.

The Chinese representative disagreed with the arguments which stated that a lack of agreement in negotiations had forced the declaration of independence, stressing that it had been necessary to continue with negotiations in order to reach a solution.

ICJ-KOSOVO-DEBATE

China and Cyprus to speak in favor of Serbia's sovereignty

THE HAGUE, Dec 7 (Tanjug) - China, Cyprus, Croatia and Denmark will state their opinions on the legality of the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo before the 15 judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Peace Palace in the Hague Monday.

On the fifth day of the hearing on the legality of Kosovo's secession, UN Security Council member state China, as well as Cyprus, will speak in favor of Serbia's interests, whereas Denmark and Croatia will defend Kosovo's independence.

China, which will participate in the hearing on ICJ's advisory opinion for the first time today, has assessed in a written contribution that the Resolution 1244 represents a political and legal condition for the solving of Kosovo's status.

The most populated country in the world reiterates that the Resolution 1244 regulates the political solution to the Kosovo case, explicitly pointing out with its provisions that the purpose of its adoption is to provide an essential autonomy to Kosovo within the borders of the Republic of Serbia.

The Resolution also confirms Serbia's sovereignty in several places, it is stated in China's contribution, written in eight pages.

China underscores that one of the basic principles of international law is the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty and that all other principles are based on it, adding that the principle of a nation's self-determination is strictly limited and applicable only in certain situations of colonial rule or foreign occupation.

In a written contribution on 70 pages, Cyprus stated that Kosovo has no right to statehood, as well as that the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo interim institutions is contrary to international law.

Kosovo only has the rights which are guaranteed to it by the Resolution 1244, and the right to a secession is not one of them, Cyprus states.

MONTENEGRO-SERBIA-AMBASSADOR

Montenegro asked to postponediplomatic relations with Kosovo

PODGORICA, Dec 6 (Tanjug) - Serbian Ambassador to Podgorica Zoran Lutovac has requested from Montenegro to postpone the establishment of diplomatic relations with Kosovo, pending the decision of the International Court of Justice on the legality of independence of Serbia's southern province, Tanjug learned in Podgorica.

Lutovac last week asked for an audience at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and requested that the Government of Montenegro refrain from establishing diplomatic relations with Kosovo, pending the end of the process at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Serbia would appreciate very much if Montenegro would wait for the ICJ advisory opinion on Kosovo's independence declaration, and then decide on opening its embassy in Pristina, Lutovac emphasized.

Lutovac received a response from the Montenegrin Ministry of Foreign Affairs that diplomatic relations with Kosovo were not established yet for technical reasons only, because Pristina was not ready.

He was also told that the announcement of establishing diplomatic relations does not mean the exchange of ambassadors.

ICJ-KOSOVO-HEARING

Azerbaijan and Belarus against Kosovo's independence

THE HAGUE, Dec 3 (Tanjug) - Azerbaijan and Belarus stated before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday that the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo represented a breach of the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and a violation of Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, which was against international law.

Reporting on the ICJ hearing concerning the evaluation of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence, the Russian news agency Itar-Tass said that the Austrian delegation representative Helmut Tichy stated that Austria's view was that the independence declaration was in accordance with international law.

Tichy said there were no rules that prohibited a declaration of independence or secession in international law, adding that the declaration had been adopted by elected officials who expressed the will of the people in Kosovo, and that was not illegal by international law.

Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria and Burundi are scheduled to present their views on Friday, while the hearing itself will last until December 11.

SERBIA-SLOVAKIA-PRESIDENTS

Gasparovic: No to Kosovo's independence

BELGRADE, Dec 3 (Tanjug) - Slovakian President Ivan Gasparovic said Thursday that his country would remain true to its decision not to recognize the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and Metohija whatever the outcome of the hearing before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning the issue.

After his meeting with Serbian President Boris Tadic, Gasparovic said that Slovakia would also continue its sincere support for Serbia's EU integration, adding that it would share its own experience that could help Serbia on the road to full EU membership.

HAGUE-ICJ-DELEGATION

Argentina,nice surprise in ICJ debate

THE HAGUE, December 3 (Tanjug) - The members of the Serbian delegation in The Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) have qualified as unconvincing all the statements so far which support the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo's independence and said they included nothing new, but pointed out, however, that the delegation was pleasantly surprised by the arguments of Argentina which “matched the principles of Serbia.”

The head of the delegation, Serbian Ambassador to France Dusan Bajatovic, congratulated and thanked Susana Ruiz Cerutti, the chief representative of Argentina, for the country's Wednesday presentation before the ICJ, which “brought to light a number of crucial issues.”

In her speech before the 15 judges of the ICJ in The Hague-based Peace Palace, Cerutti pointed out, among other things, that she would not have voted for UN Resolution 1244 in June 1999 had she not been sure that the document guaranteed the territorial integrity of Serbia.

The Serbian delegation praised two more Cerruti's arguments “as the key ones for the debate” - her notion that the Kosovo Assembly is a UN body, that all Kosovo institutions are provisional, i.e. intended to be temporary, and that those institution cannot pass essential decisions especially not the ones considering the status of the southern Serbian province.

The Argentine representative stressed that the Albanians in Kosovo are a minority which gave itself the right to proclaim independence, although according to Resolution 1244, it does not have that right. She underlined that Martti Ahtisaari was merely a UN mediator in the negotiations on Kosovo status, although ethnic Albanians see him as someone who had the power to bring the final decision.

ICJ-KOSOVO-DEBATE

Two states speak for, two against Kosovo's secession

THE HAGUE, December 3 (Tanjug) - Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bahrain and Austria will state their arguments for and against the secession of Kosovo before the panel of 15 judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague-based Peace Palace on Thursday.

On the third day of the debate on legality of Kosovo's unilateral proclamation of independence, the delegations of Azerbaijan and Belarus will speak in favour of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia, while Bahrain and Austria will back Kosovo's secession.

The Serbian delegation, headed by Serbian Ambassador to Paris Dusan Batakovic, said on the first day of the session that the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo independence is a challenge for the United Nations (UN) and for its authority, and especially for its capability to realize one of the UN basic principles - preservation of peace and security.

After the public session, the 15 ICJ judges will thoroughly examine the presented arguments and give their advisory opinion on the legality of self-proclaimed Kosovo independence, which is expected for mid-2010.

ICJ-DEBATE-KOSOVO

Argentina: Kosovo secession threatens international order

BELGRADE, Dec 2 (Tanjug) - The delegation of Argentina supported Wednesday before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague Serbia's stand that the secession of Kosovo represents the most severe violation of international right and threatens the established international order, adding that the bright future of a country cannot be built in that manner.

The head of the delegation of the Argentine Republic Susana Ruiz Cerutti said that the advisory opinion of ICJ will have far-reaching consequences and not only deal with the Kosovo issue.

She pointed out that the unilateral declaration of the independence of Kosovo is not in keeping with international right, endangers Serbia's territorial integrity and violates UN Security Council Resolution 1244 which proscribes the international administrative and security presence and did not, nor it could, abolish Serbia's sovereignty over Kosovo.

The very resolution has excluded the right to self-rule which is underscored by the defenders of independence, adding that the Kosovo status will be determined through talks and compromise which have to be approved by Resolution 1244, Cerrutti said.

She stated that the unilateral declaration of independence was the result of a coordinated action of provisional Kosovo institutions and states that supported it.

ICJ-KOSOVO-DEBATE

Argentina: Kosovo secession threatens international order

The head of the delegation of the Argentine Republic Susana Ruiz Cerutti said that the advisory opinion of ICJ will have far-reaching consequences and not only deal with the Kosovo issue.

She stated that the unilateral declaration of independence was the result of a coordinated action of provisional Kosovo institutions and states that supported it.

ICJ-KOSOVO-DEBATE

Albania, Germany and Saudi Arabia defend Kosovo independence

THE HAGUE, Dec 2 (Tanjug) - The delegations of Albania, Germany and Saudi Arabia supported before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday the secession of Kosovo by claiming that the unilateral declaration of independence was not in contradiction with international law, but that it was rather in line with the right of people to self-determination.

On the second day of the debate which is held before the panel of 15 ICJ judges at the Peace Palace, the representatives of Germany, Saudi Arabia and Albania, the countries which were among the first to recognize Kosovo independence, stated that the secession of Kosovo had nothing to do with international law, as the law did not define the issue of secession.

Therefore, secession is not forbidden, they assessed.

Legal Adviser of the German Federal Foreign Office Susanne Wasum-Rainer suggested that the judges examined the case of Kosovo by relying on facts, that is the situation in the terrain.

According to her, one of the principles of international law, the principle of efficiency, is the only principle that can be implied in case of Kosovo, since Kosovo fulfills, as she put it, the elements of statehood and its people, territory and government have nation-building qualities.

Kosovo has become an independent state because it has been recognized by 63 members of the United Nations, as well as by 109 members of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB), Wasum-Rainer concluded.

Speaking on the behalf of the Albanian delegation, Professor Professor Jochen Frowein argued that secession was not regulated by international law.

There is nothing international law can say about the declaration of Kosovo independence, he said, and noted that a majority of the UN member countries had not expressed a wish to take part in the debate dealing with the advisory opinion.

ICJ-SERBIA-KOSOVO

Debate on Kosovo at Hague-based Peace Palace continues

THE HAGUE, Dec 2 (Tanjug) - Albania, Germany, Saudi Arabia and Argentina will Wednesday present their arguments for or against the secession of Kosovo before the 15 judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague-based Peace Palace.

On the second day of oral debate regarding the accordance with international law of the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo, held upon the request of the UN and the initiative of Serbia, the representatives of the first three states will speak in favour of Kosovo's secession as they had recognised it as an independent state, whereas Argentina will defend Serbia's interests and international law.

ICJ-KOSOVO-PRISTINA

Pristina rejects any possibility of status negotiations

THE HAGUE, Dec 1 (Tanjug) - A delegation from Kosovo, led by Skender Hiseni, defended Kosovo's secession before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on Tuesday by saying that the unilateral declaration of independence was "the will of the people" and rejecting any possibility of opening new Kosovo status negotiations.

The head of the delegation, which is referred to by the ICJ as "the authors of the independence declaration," said that the declaration of independence by Kosovo had been the realization of the will of Kosovo's people, reflecting their desire to decide their political status for themselves.

Hiseni said that regardless of the past problems and sufferings undergone by Kosovo's people, Kosovo still had a desire to build good relations with Serbia and negotiate practical issues of life in that ethnically mixed community.

He stressed that Kosovo could not enter negotiations that questioned its status as a "sovereign and independent state."

Hiseni remarked that those who wanted to renew the status negotiations were either unaware of the current situation or were trying to cause chaos in the region, adding that Kosovo had been recognized by all the neighbouring countries except Serbia.

ICJ-KOSOVO-MPS

MPs have different expectations from ICJ debate

BELGRADE, Dec 1 (Tanjug) - MPs of the Serbian parliament have different expectations from the debate at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality of the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo-Metohija.

Socialist Party of Serbia - United Serbia (SPS-JS) whip Branko Ruzic said he expects that facts will be determined in the debate and that the ICJ opinion will be positive for Serbia's state interests, provided that international law is respected, and that the ICJ opinion will be heeded by all.

G17 Plus party MP Stojanka Petkovic said that it is possible that the ICJ opinion will be not be positive either for Serbs or for Albanians.

It might be something like the Resolution 1244, she said, adding that the ICJ opinion will be important for similar moves in the world in the future.

MP of the opposition Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) Dragan Sormaz believes that the ICJ opinion will be interpreted diferently by Serbia and Kosovo.

Serbia will get nothing from the ICJ opinion, as none of the states which have recognized Kosovo will change their stands, he said.

It would be more effective for Serbia to sue all those states, he said.

MP of the Coalition of Presevo Valley Albanians Riza Halimi said that this issue should be carefully examined, but that it will have no effect on the ground.

HAGUE-ICJ-JEREMIC

Jeremic: Serbia shows wisdom, composure and strength

THE HAGUE, Dec 1 (Tanjug) - Serbia's Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic has said that Serbia showed wisdom, composure and strength before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Tuesday, adding that international law, as well as two thirds of the world, are on Serbia's side when it comes to the legality of Kosovo's secession.

"We still have a difficult fight ahead of us, but we cannot and will not lose it if we remain persistent, wise and united, and we need unity within the country, political parties and among the people for that to happen," Jeremic told the press.

KOSOVO-ICJ-DACIC

Dacic: Secession of part of sovereign state illegal

BELGRADE, Dec 1 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Ivica Dacic said on Tuesday that it is essential for Serbia to present to the International Court of Justice arguments contesting the legality of the unilateral declaration of independence of a part of the territory of a sovereign state.

Any decision that would legalize such an unilateral act would cause great havoc and chaos in the international legal system, Dacic said.

He was commenting the start of a debate on the legality of the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo-Metohija at ICJ Tuesday.

It will certainly not be possible to treat the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo-Metohija as a precedent, as this would trigger a tide of secessions worldwide, Dacic told the press.

A hearing on the accordance with international law of the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo-Metohija, which the International Court of Justice will hold at the request of the UN General Assembly at Serbia's initiative, began at the Hague based Peace Palace Tuesday.

ICJ-KOSOVO-HISENI

Hiseni hopes ICJ will declare Kosovo secession legal

THE HAGUE, Dec 1 (Tanjug) - Head of the Kosovo delegation Skender Hiseni said Tuesday that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will uphold Kosovo's right to be an independent state.

Following arguments presented by the Serbian delegation before the ICJ, Hiseni expressed his conviction that Kosovo's right to independence will be confirmed.

He was speaking during a break in the hearings, after which his delegation is due to present its arguments.

Hiseni emphasized that he has complete confidence in the ICJ and that it will uphold Kosovo's right to independence and freedom.

KOSOVO-ICJ-TADIC

Tadic optimistic about ICJ's decision

BELGRADE, Nov 29 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic stated that he was optimistic before the beginning of the debate at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the accordance with international law of the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo.

"I am an optimist. Because the legal arguments are in Serbia's favour and because I believe that the awareness about the dangers of the attempt of an ethnically motivated secession at the international legal plan will be considered crucial for the ICJ's opinion. And in that case, the opinion of the Court will be in Serbia's favor. This is the essential reason for optimism," Tadic said in an interview published by the Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti Sunday.

KOSOVO-ICJ-BOGDANOVIC

Bogdanovic expects independence to be declared illegitimate

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA, Nov 29 (Tanjug) - Serbian Minister for Kosovo-Metohija (KiM) Goran Bogdanovic has stated that he believed that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) would declare the decision on declaration of independence of Kosovo-Metohija as illegitimate.

"Our arguments are strong, and based on international law," Bogdanovic stated in an interview for Pristina weekly Jedinstvo, pointing out that local elections held in Kosovo on November 15, would not affect the process before the ICJ.

Barely two years since the unilateral declaration of independence of KiM, the issue of legality of this Pristina's move will be brought before the ICJ in The Hague on Tuesday, December 1.

KOSOVO-ICJ-STATEMENT

ICJ denies having made decision on Kosovo

BELGRADE, Nov 28 (Tanjug) - The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has stated that at this stage of the proceedings, it was impossible to forecast how the judges would consider the issue of accordance with international law of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and what their conclusion would be regarding the case.

A statement was issued at the ICJ website following a number of incorrect quotations of the President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Judge Hisashi Owada, in connection with the video press conference given by him on Thursday 19 November 2009.

The statement said that it was a distortion of President Owada's words to imply that the Advisory Opinion 'would not be a clear yes or no'.

"President Owada said that at this stage of the proceedings, it was obviously impossible to forecast how the judges would consider the issue and what their conclusion would be," said the statement, referring to the video press conference.

"He explained that, coming from different countries, ICJ judges have different backgrounds and that, although there may be different views on the matter at hand, the final position adopted would represent the position of the Court as a whole," the statement reads.

"The President also insisted that, during its deliberation on this matter, the ICJ would examine the arguments brought before it with the utmost care," it said.

"Allegations such as those contained in the aforementioned reports gravely jeopardize the necessary serenity required for the work of the Court," the statement adds.

Before the statement was issued, international law expert Tibor Varadi had doubted that such opinion of the ICJ president had been expressed.

Varadi, one of Serbia's representatives in the dispute with Bosnia-Herzegovina before the ICJ, had said that if the statement was true, "it is very unusual and unacceptable for him."

"I still find it hard to believe that this has happened and that there has been no misunderstanding," Varadi wondered.

Kosovo declared independence on February 17, 2008, and the UN General Assembly decided, at Belgrade's initiative, that this issue should be forwarded to the International Court of Justice for advisory opinion on whether Pristina's move was in accordance with international law.

According to the announcements, the open debate at the ICJ on this issue will begin on December 1 and will last until December 11.

SERBIA-JS-TADIC

Tadic: Serbia's aim is to preserve sovereignty and join EU

BELGRADE, Nov 28 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic stated Saturday that Serbia had two central goals - preservation of territorial integrity and sovereignty and EU membership.

"We will join the EU with our identity and we will not give up on that," Tadic said addressing the participants of the convention of United Serbia (JS), one of the parties in the Serbian coalition government.

He said that Serbia needs unity now more than ever - unity of all people of good will so that Serbia would be a modern country which takes care of its citizens.

Tadic pointed out that Serbia must define a vision of development for the next ten or twenty years, and in accordance with that image, take specific steps in order to improve the quality of living.

He thanked JS leader Dragan Markovic for his unambiguous opinion, in the difficult times when Serbia was struck by the attempt of an ethnically motivated secession of the southern province, that the country must move towards Europe and the EU membership.

SERBIA-GERMANY-KOSOVO

Heuer: Serbia needs help to resolve Kosovo issue

BELGRADE, Nov 27 (Tanjug) - State Minister of the German Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs Werner Heuer said that conditions should be created to make it easier for Serbia to resolve the Kosovo issue.

Belgrade, Pristina, Russia and the international community through the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will all influence the process of resolving the Kosovo problem, he told Deutshe Welle.

Heuer said that he does not yet see a solution for Kosovo, but that it is not entirely in Serbia's hands.

A solution depends partly on Kosovo, partly on Moscow and partly on the general climate of the new start of international cooperation through OSCE, he said.

This could help create a climate to make it easier for Serbia to resolve the Kosovo issue, he said.

KOSOVO-RETURNEES-IVANOVIC

Oliver Ivanovic to visit Klina municipality Saturday

BELGRADE, Nov 27 (Tanjug) - State Secretary in the Serbian Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija Oliver Ivanovic will visit the Dolac, Pogradje and Drsnik villages in the Klina municipality on Saturday.

He will confer with returnees and local officials, the ministry said.

In Drsnik, 54 houses have been build, in which 30 families live permanently and 15 from time to time, while two were set on fire, the release says.

Four prospective returnee families were registered in 2009, the release says.

In Dolac, the construction of 13 houses has started for prospective returnees, and 21 returnee families were registered in 2009.

In Pogradje, the construction of 13 houses has started for prospective returnees, and ten returnee families were registered in 2009, the release says.

KOSOVO-GRACANICA-PROTEST

Trajkovic claims elections in Gracanica rigged

GRACANICA, Nov 27 (Tanjug) - About one hundred supporters of the SPOT Movement and several other Serb parties and associations from central Kosovo held a protest Friday in Gracanica, claiming that the outcome of the local elections held on November 15 in that Kosovo municipality were rigged.

A group of Kosovo Serb politicians headed by SPOT leader Momcilo Trajkovic have requested from the Kosovo central electoral commission to declare the November 15 elections invalid.

Over 800 voting slips were missing from polling boxes, Trajkovic said.

Trajkovic, who was a candidate for Gracanica municipality president, said that underground circles had installed their men in power in Gracanica.

President of the Serb Democratic Party in Kosovo and Metohija Slavisa Petkovic said that his party would also hold a protest next week in front of the Kosovo government building in Pristina.

The Kosovo central electoral commission announced Thursday evening that the candidate of the Independent Liberal Party Bojan Stojanovic won in the first round of the elections for Gracanica municipality president.

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