Dell refutes talking about autonomy for Kosovo's north

PRISTINA, July 27 (Tanjug) - U.S. Ambassador in Pristina Christopher Dell refuted the Tuesday allegations by the Pristina press that in a recent interview he called for granting autonomy to the Kosovo north.

Dell said that in his press statement dated July 22, he paid tribute to Kosovo Prime Minister Hasim Taci for his benevolence and creative thinking regarding the situation in northern Kosovo. He stressed that he did not call for giving autonomy to northern Kosovo, adding that Taci has never done it either - whether publicly or privately.

According to the Pristina press allegations, answering a question by Serbian reporters about autonomy for northern Kosovo on July 22 in Washington, Dell quoted Taci as saying that he is willing to consider creative ways of making Kosovo a truly united territory, despite the specific structure of its northern part.

The position of the U.S. Government is quite clear, since the United States supports Kosovo's status as an independent sovereign state and its territorial integrity, Dell said. He added that he would like to see Kosovo and Serbia heading together as independent states towards integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions.

Vejvoda: New stage in relations between Serbia and EU

NOVI SAD, July 27 (Tanjug) - The acceleration of European integration and the opening of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina should constitute a new stage in the relations between Serbia and the EU after the opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Executive Director of the Balkan Trust for Democracy Ivan Vejvoda said Wednesday.

In a statement for Radio Novi Sad, he said that he is confident the ICJ decision will on the one hand have a positive effect on the speed of Serbia's accession to the EU, while on the other it should open up the negotiation process on the unresolved issues on Kosovo.

On July 22, the ICJ stated its advisory opinion, according to which the unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence was not in contradiction with international law.

In the radio statement, Vejvoda assessed that the visit of Serbian President Boris Tadic's envoys to Brussels with a message that Serbia will be cooperative in seeking a peaceful solution, while not neglecting its own interests, was a good move.

This shows that Serbia is very serious in its efforts to find a solution for Kosovo and have a dialogue with the EU, as Serbia's future is in the EU, Vejvoda said.

Serbian MPs: Kosovo debate was encouraging and constructive

BELGRADE, July 27 (Tanjug) - Most Serbian parliament members have described the Monday debate on Kosovo as encouraging and constructive.

The debate resulted in the adoption of a decision to continue with the defense of Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This shows that Serbia's interests are the most important thing, the MPs stressed in their statements to journalists, adding that it gave an opportunity to the president and government to assume responsibility and take steps which are in the best interest of the country.

Spokesperson and MP of the Democratic Party Jelena Trivan believes that the debate was encouraging and had a somewhat unexpected tone, since there had been some harsh words and inappropriate political discussions after the International Court of Justice opinion.

Most parties, however, let go of their narrow political beliefs and showed that the country's interest is more important, she said, pointing out that the decision is just another diplomatic step in defending Serbia's sovereignty according to the state policy.

Serbian Radical Party (SRS) Whip Dragan Todorovic, whose party voted in favor of the decision, said that Serbia's government and President Boris Tadic are exercising "some kind of a secret diplomacy," which, he said, has been proven unsuccessful according to recent results.

The adopted decision is also a mistake to an extent, Todorovic said and added that the SRS supported the decision only because it would never do anything contrary to Serbia's interests.

The Serbian Progressive Party, which also supported the decision, has characterized the debate as serious and constructive.

Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) Whip Milos Aligrudic, whose party did not support the decision, said that all speculations about a potential division of Kosovo or some other behind-the-scenes schemes did not represent the will of the Serbian people.

The DSS finds that such actions are unacceptable and go against the Constitution, Aligrudic said.

Republika Srpska states support for Serbia

BANJA LUKA, July 27 (Tanjug) - Republika Srpska (RS) Prime Minister Milorad Dodik said Tuesday that RS supports Serbian Parliament resolution regarding the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision on Kosovo.

After a meeting with leaders of RS political parties in Banja Luka, Dodik told reporters that RS would continue to back Serbia in its policy on Kosovo.

Dodik announced the formation of an international team of legal experts who would analyse and give an opinion on the ICJ decision.

The ICJ announced its opinion on July 22, stating that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence did not violate international law.

Explaining the reasons for the meeting with party leaders, Dodik noted that the ICJ decision was important for everyone and did not refer only to Kosovo.

"We have decided to keep watching Serbia's moves on the issue, keeping in mind the special ties that RS and Serbia have, as well as our right to take a political stand regarding important issues in the region," said Dodik.

He reaffirmed that RS would not allow Bosnia-Herzegovina to recognize Kosovo.

OSCE to operate in keeping with status-neutral mandate

VIENNA, July 27 (Tanjug) - Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Secretary General Mark Perrin de Brichambaut has announced that the OSCE Mission in Kosovo would continue its work as mandated in a status-neutral manner, following the opinion recently issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

“OSCE takes note of the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice. I want to emphasize that the OSCE Mission in Kosovo will continue its work as mandated in a status-neutral manner,” he said.

According to him, the OSCE Mission will remain committed to the development of a democratic multi-ethnic society, andl continue to monitor and promote the rights of all communities living in Kosovo.

Furthermore, the Mission will continue to support and strengthen the democratic institutions that it helped to establish, the Vienna-based OSCE center released in statement.

On July 22, the ICJ delivered the advisory opinion saying that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence did not constitute a violation of international law.

Dzurinda: Bratislava will not recognize Kosovo

BRATISLAVA, July 27 (Tanjug) - Slovakia will not recognize Kosovo as an independent state, Slovak Foreign Minister Mikulas Dzurinda stated on Tuesday and once again confirmed that Bratislava will not change its position concerning this issue.

Slovakia does not feel that it is being pressured into recognizing Kosovo as an independent state, Dzurinda said after a meeting with American and British diplomats in Bratislava. Everyone understands our position which is a result of our long historical experience and political beliefs, he added.

In a statement for the press, the minister reminded that Slovakia shares the opinion of Cyprus, Greece, Romania and Spain regarding the Kosovo issue.

Dzurinda pointed to the need for Serbia's speedy EU integration.

He also expressed belief that the situation in the Balkans cannot be stabilized without Serbia's cooperation.

Following the release of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion which stated that Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence does not constitute a violation of international law, Slovak officials have voiced their stand on several occasions and pointed out that the ICJ opinion will not affect their policy.

MPs: Taci's statement is hasty

PRISTINA, July 27 (Tanjug) - The Kosovo opposition and NGOs qualified as hasty and inappropriate the statement of Kosovo Prime Minister Hasim Taci that a supervised independence has come to an end and that the international community will soon become only a supporter of the Kosovo government.

Representatives of opposition parties believe that the international institutions accredited in Kosovo should stay in the province for quite long in order to assist Kosovo to develop and integrate into the Euro-Atlantic structures.

Democratic League of Dardania Vice President Besa Gadzeri has stated that Kosovo is heading toward important processes related to cooperation and European integration in which, according to her, the international factor should assume the role of a supervisor.

Gadzeri believes that Taci's statement was rash. I believe that we should work hard in order to become partners of the international factor since we find it unacceptable to say that Kosovo no longer needs the international community, she said.

Representatives of international missions in Kosovo pointed out that they will remain in the province for at least another two years.

International Civilian Office (ICO) Spokesperson Andy McGuffie said that although certain results have been achieved, there are still many areas which require much more improvement for Martti Ahtisaari's plan to be realized.

EULEX Spokesperson Karin Limdal reminded that the EU member countries have decided to extend the mandate of the EULEX mission in Kosovo for another two years.

Dell: Taci is prepared for “creative” adjustment in north

PRISTINA, July 27 (Tanjug) - United States Ambassador in Pristina Christopher Dell has stated that Kosovo Premier Hasim Taci is prepared to offer to the north of Kosovo a kind of autonomy, already implemented in regions of Belgium, Austria and other Western European countries, Pristina press report on Tuesday.

The north of Kosovo is of a “specific nature,” and Premier Hasim Taci is prepared to find a “creative” way to resolve the issue, U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Christopher Dell said during his meeting with journalists in Washington, when he commented on the opinion of the International Court of Justice.

“What I have heard him (Premier Taci) say publicly in Kosovo on many occasions - publicly at least once and many occasions in private - is that within the context of a European Union that consists of many regions and is recognized as such, he is prepared to look creatively at ways in which the special nature of the north of Kosovo can be accommodated within the boundaries of the unitary state of Kosovo, but given - recognizing that in the Europe of the 21st century there is room for special status - not status, that's the wrong word - special nature of regions within single countries. To be less cryptic, we're referring here to regional arrangements such as exist in Belgium, South Tyrol, many parts of Europe,” told reporters.

Greece in favor of solution acceptable for Serbia and KiM

BRUSSELS, July 27 (Tanjug) - Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas stated in Brussels on Monday that Greece is a country which has good relations with both Serbia and Kosovo-Metohija (KiM) and which will explore all possibilities of finding a solution acceptable for both sides, the Greek news agency ANA reported.

Even though the opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence does not violate international law, Greece, like all other EU member states that have not recognized Kosovo's independence, will not change its position, Droutsas said at the news conference after the session of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

According to ANA, Droutsas stressed Greece's intention of supporting the EU integration of the Balkan countries, and announced his visit to Belgrade and Pristina.

EU willing to aid dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina

BRUSSELS, July 27 (Tanjug) - Foreign ministers of EU member countries discussed West Balkans' EU perspective at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council held on Monday, when they reiterated the willingness of the organization to aid the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

During the working lunch, the ministers discussed the situation in Kosovo and Kosovo's EU path after the delivery of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on the legality of Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence, the Council released in a statement late on Monday.

According to the release, the ministers assessed that the advisory opinion has marked a beginning of a new stage in the resolution of the Kosovo issue and reiterated EU's readiness to aid Belgrade and Pristina dialogue which would be aimed at enhancing cooperation, facilitating progress towards the EU and improving the everyday life of people.

The ministers also discussed Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) and the need to renew the climate of changes after the October 2010 elections, with a reinforced EU presence in the country and the use of BiH's European perspective as the engine of change.

KFOR, police and EULEX hold two-day exercise

PRISTINA, July 27 (Tanjug) - KFOR, EULEX and Kosovo police will hold a two-day joint exercise in the territory of the municipality of Zubin Potok, it was announced by the command of the international military forces in Kosovo.

The Exercise will be carried out on July 27-28, with the participation of different units of the Multinational combat groups and reserve combat force of KFOR under the command of KFOR using an operational scenario.

The purpose of the exercise is the expansion of cooperation between the Kosovo Police, KFOR and EULEX aiming at a use of valid training procedures in usual operations.

The exercise is not the answer nor it is prepared for any immediate, permanent or expected situation, it was stated by KFOR.

All military vehicles and soldiers will carry a KFOR label. Local residents should be alert during the activity of the forces.

Tadic: Serbia should rid itself of conflicts

BELGRADE, July 27 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic stated on Monday evening that his intention as the Serbian president was to rid the country of national conflicts that it has had for years, not only with its neighbors, but also with great forces.

"It is no time for great patriotism, it is time for great deeds," Tadic said at the end of a twelve-hour debate at the extraordinary parliament sitting on Kosovo.

According to Tadic, Serbia must have the best possible relations with great forces, as any other policy would lead the country directly into ruin, and citizens into new poverty.

"Such policy would lead the Serbian citizens into new poverty and the country would not be able to preserve its national interests," he said.

Tadic assessed that the Kosovo issue is a "challenge of our generation," adding that the Albanian national issue is a legitimate and important topic for the Serb national issue.

Reiterating that the Serbian parliament has been holding a fierce discussion in the past 50 years, since 1968, and it still has not found the answer for Kosovo-Metohija, Tadic pointed out that it is important to reach the highest possible level of agreement on the issues that bother Serbia, and Kosovo is certainly one of them.

Tadic said that it is inappropriate to look for a culprit for what is happening today, since attributing responsibility would lead the country nowhere.

Parliament backs government policy on Kosovo

BELGRADE, July 27 (Tanjug) - The National Assembly of Serbia adopted late on Monday with 192 votes the Decision to continue the activities of the Republic of Serbia on defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

After a 12-hour debate, 26 members of the parliament voted against the decision, while two members abstained.

“The National Assembly finds it necessary to come through peaceful negotiations to a permanent, sustainable and mutually acceptable solution for Kosovo and Metohija, in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, which would enable an historic reconciliation of the Serbian and Albanian people, as well as peace and stability in the region,” it was said in the text.

The document calls for national unity and it announces the use of all available diplomatic and political means to preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“The National Assembly expresses its full commitment to achieving the national and political unity on the issue of preservation of Kosovo and Metohija, and confirms that Serbia will never, neither explicitly nor implicitly, recognize the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and Metohija,” it is underscored.

The parliament supported the government in the process of submitting a resolution to the United Nations General Assembly, whose approval would open the way to reaching a compromise solution for Kosovo and Metohija through negotiations.

The National Assembly authorizes the government to undertake all diplomatic efforts towards the adoption of the resolution by the U.N. General Assembly, according to a document adopted at the extraordinary parliament session in which Serbian President Boris Tadic, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic and all members of the government also took part.

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